Lagos, Nigeria – As controversy swirls around MultiChoice Nigeria’s recent price adjustments, new data reveals the media giant’s extensive contributions to the nation’s creative economy, employment landscape, and tax revenue streams.
Key Economic Contributions
- Employment Generator: Supports 28,000+ direct and indirect jobs
- SME Enabler: Partners with 20,000+ small businesses nationwide
- Tax Revenue: Paid $469 million (2015-2023) to government coffers
- Content Production: 90% of Africa Magic programming now Nigerian-made
Talent Development Initiatives
The company’s MultiChoice Talent Factory has trained 7,700+ film professionals since inception, with graduates working on international productions. The annual Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) has disbursed over $5 million in prizes and grants, elevating Nollywood’s global profile.
Regulatory Standoff Continues
The recent 20% price increase for DStv Premium (₦37,000 to ₦44,500) sparked consumer outrage and regulatory intervention:
- FCCPC attempted to block the hike citing consumer protection
- Federal High Court ruled in MultiChoice’s favor, upholding free-market principles
- Comparative Pricing: Nigeria’s rates remain lower than South Africa (₦90,000+) and Kenya (₦60,000+) for similar packages
Beyond Entertainment
MultiChoice’s investments extend to critical sectors:
- ₦200 million in healthcare initiatives, including sickle cell programs
- $2.2 million in educational scholarships and STEM development
- $12 million supporting Nigerian sports from grassroots to national teams
Industry Reactions
“Nigerian creatives have benefited tremendously from MultiChoice’s platforms and training programs,” said Nollywood producer Kemi Adekoya. “However, the price increases do strain consumers in this economic climate.”
What’s Your Take?
👉 Should MultiChoice freeze prices despite rising costs?
👉 Is Nigeria’s creative economy better off with or without MultiChoice?
👉 Share this to keep the debate balanced!
About the author
Ibrahim Traoré accueille le président de l’UA Évariste Ndayishimiye à Ouagadougou
Le Président du Faso, Ibrahim Traoré, a accueilli ce lundi 20 avril 2026 au matin, à l’aéroport international de Ouagadougou, le Président en exercice de l’Union africaine, Évariste Ndayishimiye. Cette visite officielle s’inscrit dans le cadre des relations diplomatiques entre les États africains et les institutions continentales. Des échanges avec la Confédération AES Au cours de son séjour, le chef de l’État burundais, également président en exercice de l’UA, aura des échanges avec Ibrahim Traoré en sa qualité de Président de la Confédération des États du Sahel (AES). Ces discussions devraient porter sur des enjeux politiques, sécuritaires et de coopération régionale. Visites d’infrastructures à Ouagadougou Le programme de la visite prévoit également des déplacements sur plusieurs infrastructures socio-économiques dans la capitale, Ouagadougou. Ces visites visent à mettre en lumière les initiatives de développement en cours dans le pays. Une visite […]
LOOMIC : ABSTERGO lance une nouvelle marque d’accessoires tech au Burkina Faso
Dans un contexte où les accessoires numériques occupent une place centrale dans la vie quotidienne, ABSTERGO TECHNOLOGY franchit une nouvelle étape. Le 18 avril 2026, l’entreprise a officiellement lancé LOOMIC, une marque dédiée aux essentiels technologiques, avec une ambition claire : allier performance, design et accessibilité. Une vision : rendre la technologie utile et accessible Avec LOOMIC, ABSTERGO TECHNOLOGY veut combler le fossé entre le haut de gamme et l’accessibilité. Selon son fondateur, Marthial Oubda, les accessoires du quotidien ont longtemps été sous-estimés. « La technologie doit faire plus que fonctionner. Elle doit simplifier et améliorer l’expérience », a-t-il expliqué. LOOMIC se positionne ainsi comme une marque centrée sur l’essentiel, avec une approche axée sur l’innovation utile et un design minimaliste. Voltis : un écosystème de charge performant La marque inaugure sa gamme Voltis, dédiée à l’énergie et à la […]
Audit Exposes GHS427m Payroll Scandal at Defence Ministry
A shocking audit report has uncovered a massive payroll scandal involving a senior government official who allegedly received over GHS427 million in unearned salaries over 29 months. The individual at the center of the controversy, Frank Oliver Kpodo, served as Director of Procurement at the Ministry of Defence Ghana during the period under review. Millions Paid for No Work Done According to findings by the Auditor-General of Ghana, the payments were made between January 2023 and June 2025. On average, this amounts to more than GHS14 million per month—funds reportedly paid without corresponding work. The audit, which examined government payroll systems, aimed to ensure that only legitimate employees receive salaries. Instead, it exposed what appears to be a deeply flawed system. Part of a Larger Payroll Leak The report found that over 6,000 government employees collectively received more than GHS800 […]
Old Tafo MP Questions NPRA Sole Sourcing, Raises Transparency Concerns
The Member of Parliament for Old Tafo Constituency, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has raised fresh concerns about procurement practices at the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA). He warned that the growing use of sole sourcing could undermine transparency and value for money. Questions Over High-Value Contracts Speaking on Dwaso Nsem on Adom FM, Assafuah pointed to several major contracts awarded through sole sourcing. These include: A consultancy deal worth GH¢4.2 million A vehicle procurement arrangement exceeding GH¢17 million and $160,000 According to him, the repeated reliance on sole sourcing for such high-value transactions raises serious concerns about due process. “Sole sourcing is meant for urgency and necessity, not convenience and favouritism,” he stated. Concerns Over Costly Consultancy Engagements The MP also questioned the need for certain consultancy services. He noted that a reported monthly cost of about GH¢175,000 could suggest duplication […]
Kaya : 190 jeunes et femmes reçoivent des kits pour lancer leurs activités
À Kaya, 190 personnes, majoritairement des jeunes et des femmes, disposent désormais des moyens nécessaires pour lancer leurs propres activités génératrices de revenus. Le 25 mars 2026, SOS Villages d’Enfants a procédé à la remise officielle de kits d’installation complets, marquant une nouvelle étape dans son programme d’autonomisation. Un investissement de près de 40 millions FCFA L’opération représente un investissement global de 39 751 400 FCFA. Ce montant se répartit comme suit : 27 361 650 FCFA pour l’acquisition du matériel 12 389 750 FCFA consacrés à la formation technique des bénéficiaires L’objectif est clair : permettre un démarrage immédiat des activités avec des compétences solides. Des équipements pour plusieurs métiers Les kits distribués couvrent différents secteurs d’activité : Production d’attiéké : 32 femmes Coupe et couture : 42 bénéficiaires Transformation de produits ligneux : 56 personnes Teinture de pagnes […]
JEPPC 2026 : Émile Zerbo appelle à consommer local pour renforcer la souveraineté
Le Burkina Faso a officiellement lancé, ce 26 mars 2026, la première phase des Journées nationales d’engagement patriotique et de participation citoyenne (JEPPC). La cérémonie, organisée au ministère de la Justice, a été présidée par Émile Zerbo, ministre d’État chargé de l’Administration territoriale. Un thème centré sur la souveraineté alimentaire Pour cette troisième édition, le thème choisi est clair :« Produisons burkinabè, consommons burkinabè, notre assiette, notre fierté » À travers ce message, les autorités entendent promouvoir un changement profond des habitudes de consommation et renforcer le patriotisme économique. Un discours fort contre la dépendance aux importations Relayant le message du chef de l’État, Émile Zerbo a dénoncé une forme d’impérialisme ancrée dans le quotidien. Selon lui, la dépendance aux produits importés affaiblit l’économie nationale et marginalise les producteurs locaux. Il a notamment pointé du doigt la présence massive de […]
Related
I feared my career had stalled three years before AMVCA win – Actress Linda Ejiofor
Nollywood actress Linda Ejiofor has revealed that she once feared her acting career had stalled, three years before her historic double win at the 2026 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA). She said she went through a period of deep anxiety when quality roles seemed to dry up and she worried that the industry had moved on from her. According to Ejiofor, she took those concerns to God in prayer, asking specifically for a role that would challenge her and reignite her passion for acting. That prayer was eventually answered with two powerful projects – “The Serpent’s Gift” and “The Herd” – which would later change the trajectory of her career. At the 12th AMVCA, Linda made history as the first actress to win both Best Lead Actress and Best Supporting Actress on the same night. She clinched Best Lead […]
I was stereotyped in my early acting years – Actress Bolaji Ogunmola
Nollywood actress Bolaji Ogunmola has opened up about the challenges she faced in her early years in the movie industry, saying she was heavily stereotyped because of her looks. She revealed that producers and directors often judged her by her dark skin and curvy body, boxing her into a narrow range of roles. According to Ogunmola, many filmmakers preferred light‑skinned actresses for lead characters at the time, while she was frequently considered only for supporting or “side chick” roles. “It was almost like they wanted to put me in a box,” she recalled, noting that her body type was used as an excuse to limit the kind of characters she could play. The actress said these stereotypes made it difficult to show her full range as a performer and slowed her journey to more complex, leading roles. Over time, however, […]
Motorcycle rider injured after alleged Customs chase in Lagos
A commercial motorcycle rider has reportedly been injured in Lagos after an incident that eyewitnesses say followed a chase by operatives believed to be from the Nigeria Customs Service. Available reports indicate that the rider crashed while trying to evade the officers, sustaining injuries in the process. According to people at the scene, the rider lost control of the bike as he sped off, leading to a serious fall that left him and his passenger badly hurt. Emergency responders and traffic officials later arrived to move them to a nearby hospital for treatment and to clear the route for other road users. Some witnesses accused the officers involved of recklessness, claiming the pursuit put other motorists and pedestrians at risk. The incident has reignited public anger over aggressive enforcement tactics and previous clashes involving security operatives and commercial motorcyclists in […]
Terrorists abduct 42 schoolchildren in Borno
Suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists have abducted 42 schoolchildren in Borno State, North-East Nigeria. The attackers stormed Mussa Primary and Junior Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) in Mussa, Askira-Uba Local Government Area, during early morning lessons on Friday. Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South, confirmed the abductions, citing information he received from school authorities. He said four students were taken from the secondary school section, 28 pupils from the primary school and 10 other children from nearby residential houses, bringing the total to 42 victims. Local sources said the terrorists rode into the community on about 18 motorcycles, with roughly three armed men on each bike. They reportedly opened fire on arrival, causing panic as pupils and teachers fled in different directions before the gunmen forced their way into the school premises […]
NAFDAC clears BON bread over two‑month shelf life controversy
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cleared Food & Food Integrated Company Limited, makers of BON Bread, over a viral allegation that its bread could stay fresh on a shelf for more than two months without moulding. The agency said its investigation found no evidence that the company violated approved safety standards or used unregulated preservatives in its products. NAFDAC Director‑General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, explained that the probe followed an April 13 video by a content creator who claimed a loaf supplied to her shop had remained without mould for “over two months.” Although the brand was not named in the clip, BON Bread later stepped forward, denying any wrongdoing and insisting that its products do not last beyond a few days under normal conditions. Adeyeye said NAFDAC inspectors visited the company’s facility, reviewed […]
Ebola: WHO declares global health emergency as death toll hits 81 in DRC, Uganda
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern, after a sharp rise in deaths and infections. The epidemic, caused by the rarer Bundibugyo strain of the virus, has so far killed at least 81 people in both countries and triggered a global health alert. According to WHO and Africa CDC figures, as of 16–17 May 2026 the DRC’s Ituri Province has reported eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases and about 80 suspected deaths across health zones including Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu. Uganda has confirmed two cases — including one death — in Kampala among travellers from Congo within 24 hours of each other. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the emergency declaration after consulting authorities in Kinshasa and Kampala and convening […]