Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: creative economy

  • Nollywood Faces Leadership Crisis as AGN Presidential Election Hijacked

    Nollywood Faces Leadership Crisis as AGN Presidential Election Hijacked

    In an update published by Daily Post, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) is embroiled in a fresh controversy following allegations that its upcoming presidential election has been “hijacked” by external interests. High-profile members and industry stakeholders have raised alarms over the lack of transparency in the screening process and the alleged exclusion of popular candidates.

    The crisis threatens to divide the world’s second-largest film industry at a time when it is seeking more global investment. Some members are calling for a complete overhaul of the electoral committee to prevent a total breakdown of order within the guild.

    The dispute was also picked up by Entertainment Weekly Nigeria, which reported that “tensions are high as several A-list actors have threatened to form a breakaway guild.” Tribune further quoted an industry insider who said, “If we cannot conduct a transparent internal election, we lose our moral standing to criticize the national government.”

    Echotitbits take: Nollywood is more than just movies; it’s a massive part of Nigeria’s “soft power” and diaspora engagement. A leadership crisis in the AGN could stall progress on copyright laws and international co-production deals. Watch for a possible mediation by the Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy.

    Source: Daily Post – https://dailypost.ng/2025/12/09/nollywood-stanley-ontop-alleges-agn-presidential-election-hijacked/, February 7, 2026

    Photo credit: Daily Post

  • Funke Akindele Honored by Federal Government for N2 Billion Box Office Feat

    Funke Akindele Honored by Federal Government for N2 Billion Box Office Feat

    Reporting by Channels TV indicates that the Federal Government has lauded Nollywood filmmaker Funke Akindele for a record-breaking box office performance reportedly surpassing N2 billion. The Ministry of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy described the feat as a benchmark for the creative economy and a signal of Nollywood’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to GDP.

    Officials said the recognition reflects growing interest in positioning the creative sector as a serious economic pillar. Plans were also referenced around institutional support through a Creative Economy Fund, aimed at enabling larger-scale productions and industry financing.

    Vanguard corroborated the commendation and quoted the minister praising Nigerian stories as commercially powerful, while The Punch amplified the milestone as a historic Nollywood commercial height in a single theatrical run.

    Echotitbits take: Funke Akindele has evolved from superstar to commercial institution. This N2bn signal is exactly what investors look for—expect more private equity-style financing structures, distribution partnerships, and higher-stakes marketing plays across Nollywood.

    Source: The Punch — https://punchng.com/fg-hails-funke-akindele-on-box-office-record/ 2026-01-29

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Niger State Seeks Global Recognition for Historic Nupe Cultural Festival

    Niger State Seeks Global Recognition for Historic Nupe Cultural Festival

    Niger State Seeks Global Recognition for Historic Nupe Cultural Festival

    Reporting by TVC News indicates that the Niger State Government is engaging the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy on plans to transform the Bida Bariki Festival into an international tourist attraction. The proposal aims to modernize the colonial-era festival—known for showcasing Nupe heritage—and integrate it more firmly into Nigeria’s national cultural calendar.

    Officials and lawmakers argue that a modernized festival could attract global tourists, create local jobs, and provide market access for Nupe craftspeople known for glass and brass work. The plan also includes developing infrastructure around Gurara Falls to complement the cultural experience and expand visitor stay-time.

    Leadership newspaper validated the story, quoting Minister Hannatu Musawa on a strategy to turn local festivals into global assets that drive the creative economy. Daily Trust also reported community-level support, with local leaders describing the move as long-overdue recognition.

    Echotitbits take: This is a credible pathway to diversifying Nigeria’s soft power and non-oil revenues. Cultural tourism is a major global market, and Nupe heritage has distinctiveness. Infrastructure delivery—roads, safety, hospitality capacity—will determine whether this becomes a true international draw.

    Source: TVC News — https://www.tvcnews.tv/niger-seeks-fgs-partnership-to-transform-bida-bariki-festival-into-global-cultural-attraction/ (2026-01-23)

    Photo Credit: TVC News 2026-01-23

  • New Nollywood release from Funke Akindele’s stable crosses ₦1.77bn at box office

    New Nollywood release from Funke Akindele’s stable crosses ₦1.77bn at box office

    According to The Punch, Funke Akindele’s latest cinema-backed project hit about ₦1.77 billion in box-office receipts, reinforcing her reputation as one of Nollywood’s most bankable filmmakers.

    The report highlights the growing scale of Nigeria’s cinema economy, where marketing, distribution and opening-week momentum can determine whether a release becomes a breakout success.

    Industry observers say record grosses can attract more investment into production quality and distribution—but also raise expectations for storytelling, professionalism and transparent reporting of figures.

    The performance adds to broader conversations about job creation in the creative sector and the export potential of Nigerian film content.

    Echotitbits take: The next frontier is sustainability—can Nollywood turn blockbuster moments into repeatable pipelines? Watch for stronger cinema infrastructure, anti-piracy enforcement and international distribution deals.

    Source: Pulse – https://www.pulse.ng/story/funke-akindele-makes-box-office-history-as-behind-the-scenes-crosses-naira177bn-2026010612012495665 5 January 2026

    Pulse 2026-01-05

    Photo Credit: Pulse

  • Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham Dominate Nigeria’s Early-2026 Box Office

    Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham Dominate Nigeria’s Early-2026 Box Office

    According to BusinessDay, Nollywood stars Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham are leading cinema charts as their December 2025 releases continued strong runs into January 2026, setting new benchmarks for domestic box office performance.

    Reports indicated Akindele’s latest title crossed major revenue milestones within weeks, while Abraham’s film remained close behind, supported by strong viewing interest including diaspora markets.

    Analysts say the success is boosting Nollywood’s broader value chain—marketing, costumes, post-production, and streaming—while increasing attention on international distribution and ancillary revenue beyond ticket sales.

    The Punch and Vanguard also highlighted the continued momentum and the competitive dynamic as a driver of rising production standards.

    Echotitbits take: These numbers underline Nollywood’s export potential. Expect more aggressive global distribution deals and tighter measurement of true producer earnings across cinemas and platforms in 2026.

    Source: Vanguard – https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/01/nollywoods-biggest-box-office-movies-of-2025-why-funke-akindele-remains-the-queen/ 2026-01-09

    Photo Credit: Vanguard

  • AFRIMA names Falz and Liliane Maroune as hosts for 9th edition in Lagos

    AFRIMA names Falz and Liliane Maroune as hosts for 9th edition in Lagos

    As reported by The Guardian Nigeria, AFRIMA has unveiled Nigerian rapper/actor Falz and French-Senegalese media personality Liliane Maroune as hosts of the 9th edition of the awards in Lagos.

    Organisers’ choice signals a deliberate blend of pop-culture reach and pan-African appeal—pairing a Nigerian headline act with a francophone media figure to widen audience reach.

    The announcement reinforces Lagos’ positioning as an African entertainment hub, with awards week typically driving tourism, creative-economy spending, and media visibility.

    Beyond hosting, expectations now shift to nominee lists, performance lineups, and sponsor activation as the event window approaches.

    Punch also confirmed the hosts were “officially unveiled” for the ninth edition. AFRIMA’s official handle likewise announced it had “unveiled its hosts for the 9th Edition.”

    Echotitbits take: Hosting is a branding decision. Watch for lineup reveals, sponsor activation, and whether production quality matches the “global broadcast” promise—AFRIMA’s credibility rises when staging, sound, and timing are world-class.

    Source: The Guardian – https://guardian.ng/art/afrima-unveils-falz-liliane-maroune-as-hosts-of-9th-edition/ January 7, 2026
    The Guardian Nigeria January 7, 2026

    Photo Credit: The Guardian Nigeria

  • Lagos scraps Greater Lagos Fiesta hours to New Year, urges residents to pray

    Lagos scraps Greater Lagos Fiesta hours to New Year, urges residents to pray

    2025-12-31 09:21:00

    Figures cited by PUNCH show the Lagos State Government called off the Greater Lagos Fiesta 2025 scheduled for December 31, directing residents to mark the period with personal prayers for the nation and the state instead.

    The decision was communicated in a statement attributed to the governor’s media team, positioning the cancellation as a shift from mass celebration to reflection and prayer ahead of 2026.

    The annual event is one of Lagos’ flagship end‑of‑year entertainment programmes, so the abrupt cancellation has sparked debate in the city’s creative economy and among residents.

    Vanguard reported that the government “announced the cancellation of the 2025 Greater Lagos Fiesta,” while Guardian Life quoted the statement: “Lagos State Government cancels Greater Lagos Fiesta 2025.”

    Echotitbits take: The optics matter—Lagos is Nigeria’s entertainment capital and the fiesta is a tourism/creative‑economy signal. Watch whether the state replaces the lost economic activity with alternative programmes, and whether security or governance concerns drove the decision.

    Source: The Punch — December 31, 2025 (https://punchng.com/lagos-cancels-greater-lagos-fiesta-2025/)

    The Punch December 31, 2025

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • AFRIMA Taps Falz and Liliane Maroune to Front Lagos Awards Week

    AFRIMA Taps Falz and Liliane Maroune to Front Lagos Awards Week

    2025-12-30 19:00:00

    In a statement obtained by Punch, AFRIMA named Nigerian rapper‑actor Falz and Moroccan‑Senegalese media personality Liliane Maroune as hosts for the 9th edition of the awards scheduled for Lagos.

    The report said organisers framed the pairing as a blend of youth appeal and pan‑African identity, positioning the event as a multi‑day celebration of African music and creative enterprise.

    The Lagos edition is expected to draw artists, industry executives and media, reinforcing Nigeria’s status as a central hub for Afrobeats and African pop culture.

    AFRIMA’s official announcement praised the hosts’ fit for the ceremony, describing Maroune as adding “elegance, global appeal, and a strong African identity.” National Daily also reported the announcement and confirmed the Lagos schedule window, describing the edition as taking place in Lagos from “January 7 to 11, 2026.”

    Echotitbits take: AFRIMA is both entertainment and cultural diplomacy for Lagos. Watch the sponsor lineup, logistics/security execution, and which categories and artists dominate as Afrobeats keeps building global momentum.

    Source: The Punch — December 30, 2025 (https://punchng.com/falz-moroccan-senegalese-actress-to-host-afrima-awards/)

    The Punch 2025-12-30

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • FirstBank rolls out 500-seat premium viewing stand for Carnival Calabar

    FirstBank rolls out 500-seat premium viewing stand for Carnival Calabar

    2025-12-29 09:00:00
    According to Punch, FirstBank says it built a 500-capacity premium bleacher to improve spectator comfort and safety at Carnival Calabar 2025, framing it as part of its long-running support for arts and culture.

    The project blends branding with tourism economics: a better viewing experience can help the festival attract higher-value visitors, sponsors and media coverage.

    The Guardian also reported the development, describing the facility as a first-of-its-kind private premium bleacher introduced for the carnival.

    Organisers and sponsors are pitching the stand as private-sector infrastructure support for one of Nigeria’s most visible cultural tourism events.

    The Guardian quoted FirstBank: “We are introducing the first-ever private 500-seater premium bleacher…,” while Punch said the stand was designed to offer “comfort, safety” and a better viewing experience.

    Echotitbits take: Sponsorship is good, but the long-term win is tourism receipts—hotel occupancy, small business sales and repeat visits. Watch for post-event economic impact numbers and whether other corporates replicate infrastructure-style sponsorships.

    Source: Independent — https://independent.ng/firstbank-introduces-exclusive-500-seater-bleacher-at-carnival-calabar-festival-2025/ – December 29, 2025
    Independent 2025-12-29

    Photo Credit: Independent

  • Tinubu’s Eyo appearance puts Lagos culture—and tourism politics—back in spotlight

    Tinubu’s Eyo appearance puts Lagos culture—and tourism politics—back in spotlight

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-28 09:00:00

    According to PUNCH, President Bola Tinubu attended the 2025 Eyo Festival in Lagos and used the moment to emphasize culture as a lever for tourism and destination branding.

    The event, held at Tafawa Balewa Square, also honored notable late Lagos leaders and featured traditional processions that draw local and diaspora audiences.

    Stakeholders see the festival’s revival as part of Lagos’ broader push to convert heritage into year-round tourism revenue and global attention.

    GazetteNG reported Tinubu describing the carnival as “a great rekindling of our culture,” while The Nation quoted him saying, “The Eyo Festival is a vibrant expression of the rich traditions of Lagos.”

    Echotitbits take: Beyond pageantry, Lagos can turn cultural “peaks” into consistent visitor flows with safety planning, transport coordination, and curated diaspora packages. Watch for how the state markets Eyo alongside other heritage assets in 2026.

    Source: The Punch — December 28, 2025 (https://punchng.com/tinubu-joins-lagos-eyo-festival/)

    The Punch December 28, 2025
    https://punchng.com/tinubu-joins-lagos-eyo-festival/