According to The Nation Online, Nollywood powerhouse Funke Akindele has officially secured a major ambassadorial deal with MonieWorld, a product under the Moniepoint Inc. umbrella. The deal is aimed at bridging the financial gap for Nigerians living in the diaspora.
Akindele, who recently shattered cinema records with her latest film, expressed her excitement about the partnership, noting that the brand’s values of hard work and reliability align with her personal journey. She emphasized that the collaboration is about empowering Nigerians to build lives regardless of their location.
The partnership marks a significant business move for the actress, further solidifying her status as a commercial magnet and a cultural icon. It also highlights the growing trend of FinTech companies leveraging Nollywood’s massive reach to connect with global audiences.
This move reinforces Akindele’s “A-list” status not just in entertainment, but as a formidable entrepreneur. As the face of a diaspora-focused financial tool, her influence will likely drive high adoption rates among Nigerians abroad who already consume her content.
* Legit.ng (Website): “Funke Akindele bags fresh ambassadorial deal with MonieWorld… uniting two forces committed to enabling progress.”
* Moniepoint Official (Press Statement): “We are thrilled to welcome Funke Akindele to the family… her story of resilience inspires millions.”
Source: The Nation — https://thenationonlineng.net/funke-akindele-bags-fresh-ambassadorial-deal-with-monieworld/ February 13, 2026
Photo Credit: The Nation
Tag: Diaspora
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Funke Akindele Expands Business Empire with Global FinTech Partnership
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Blackdrum TV Celebrates 5 Years of Promoting African Culture
According to Vanguard, Blackdrum TV is celebrating its fifth anniversary of broadcasting authentic African culture and lifestyle content. Launched on February 1, 2021, the channel has become a major player on the StarTimes platform, reaching audiences across the continent and the diaspora. Over the past five years, the channel has broadcast over 500 live and recorded events, ranging from festivals and fashion shows to art exhibitions, solidifying its position as a key voice for African storytelling.
The channel’s leadership highlighted its commitment to showcasing the vibrancy of African experiences to viewers aged 16 to 65. As it marks this milestone, Blackdrum TV plans to expand its digital footprint and increase its weekly hours of fresh content. The anniversary is seen as a testament to the growing global appetite for African-centric media and the resilience of the continent’s creative ecosystem.
The celebration was also reported by Tribune and Daily Post. Tribune noted that “the channel has been a platform for emerging African designers,” while Daily Post highlighted its “100% broadcast uptime over the last half-decade.”
Echotitbits take:
Blackdrum TV’s success shows that there is a massive market for “cultural lifestyle” content beyond just news and movies. As they move into their sixth year, watch for them to launch a dedicated streaming app to capture more of the younger, mobile-first demographic in the diaspora.
Source: TheSun – https://thesun.ng/blackdrum-tv-5-years-of-telling-authentic-african-stories-on-startimes/#google_vignette, January 31, 2026
Photo credit: TheSun
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Nollywood Legend Genevieve Nnaji Returns to Director’s Chair for New Global Project
Genevieve Nnaji has reportedly commenced production on a new feature film, marking a return to directing after a lengthy hiatus, with the project described as a co-production involving a major European studio.
The film, said to be shot across Nigeria and the UK, is described as a psychological thriller exploring identity and diaspora themes, with a cast expected to blend established Nollywood stars and rising UK talent.
Industry chatter suggests the project is already being positioned for international festival consideration and a high-impact global premiere later in the year.
Echotitbits take: Genevieve remains one of Nollywood’s strongest ‘international’ brands. Her return isn’t just another release—it’s a cultural event. If the film’s positioning holds, expect aggressive bidding from major streamers for exclusive rights.
Source: Premium Times – https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/nollywood/616364-genevieve-nnaji-makes-come-back-after-five-year-hiatus.html?tztc=1 2026-01-27Photo Credit: Premium Times
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Diaspora Affairs: Nigeria Moves to Formalize Remittance Channels
Diaspora Affairs: Nigeria Moves to Formalize Remittance Channels
The Federal Government has introduced a policy package to streamline remittances by lowering fees and proposing ‘Remittance Bonds,’ aiming to route more FX inflows through official channels and support reserves and liquidity.
Additional coverage across Nigerian media and stakeholder reactions indicate that the implications of the development will be closely watched in the coming days as policy, security, and market signals evolve.
Echotitbits take: Remittances are a major FX pillar after oil. Success depends on trust: diaspora senders will follow official channels if pricing is competitive and the exchange-rate gap remains tight.
Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/diaspora-remittances-hit-600m-monthly-dabiri-erewa-cbn/ (2026-01-22)
Photo credit: The Punch
2026-01-22 17:00:00
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US sets upfront visa-bond option that could hit some Nigerian visitors
According to Premium Times, the United States has introduced an upfront visa-bond option that could require some visitors—including Nigerians in certain categories—to post a bond of up to $15,000 before travelling.
The report says the policy is designed to reduce overstays and ensure compliance with visa terms, but it may raise the cost of short-term travel for business meetings, family visits, medical trips, and tourism.
For Nigerians, the immediate impact is likely to be uneven: frequent travellers with strong documentation may see little change, while first-time applicants and applicants deemed higher-risk could face higher financial hurdles.
Also reported by other outlets and policy watchers, the move adds to tightening global travel compliance rules and may push travellers to strengthen documentation and plan timelines earlier.
Echotitbits take: This is less about “punishing” Nigeria and more about risk management in migration policy—but the real-world effect is friction. Watch for how widely the bond is applied in practice and whether it’s limited to narrow profiles or expands over time.
Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/us-introduces-15000-visa-bond-for-nigerians-others/ 7 January 2026
The Punch 2026-01-07
Photo Credit: The Punch
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Schengen visa fees: Nigerians’ rising spend rekindles debate over travel access and value
According to Punch, Nigerians have spent an estimated ₦130 billion on Schengen visa applications over an 11‑year period, underscoring how costly cross‑border mobility has become for travellers and businesses.
The numbers are driving renewed questions about processing transparency, appointment bottlenecks, and what applicants actually receive in service quality for the fees paid.
SchengenVisaInfo’s reporting on Schengen application statistics notes the scale of fee revenue generated by applications, while Business Insider Africa highlighted how denied visas still leave applicants out of pocket through non‑refundable fees.
Expect the conversation to intensify as fees rise and more Nigerians weigh alternative destinations, longer-term visas, or travel routed through less restrictive hubs.
Echotitbits take: Expect the conversation to intensify as fees rise and more Nigerians weigh alternative destinations, longer-term visas, or travel routed through less restrictive hubs.
Source:The Punch — January 3, 2026 (https://punchng.com/nigerians-spent-n130bn-on-schengen-visa-applications-report/#:~:text=According%20to%20figures%20compiled%20by,countries%20between%202014%20and%202024.)
The Punch January 3, 2026
Photo Credit: The Punch
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Canada Intensifies Deportation of Nigerian Migrants in New Policy Crackdown
According to BusinessDay, the Canadian government has deported 366 Nigerians as part of a broader crackdown on immigration, with nearly 1,000 more facing imminent removal. The surge in deportations follows Canada’s decision to end various open work permit programs that many Nigerians had utilized.
The move has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian diaspora community, many of whom moved to North America during the ‘Japa’ wave of 2023–2025. The policy change reflects a tightening of borders in Western nations as they grapple with housing shortages and shifting economic priorities.
Validation of this trend comes from The Guardian, which reported that ‘Canada’s plan to end open work permits raises fresh concerns for Nigerian migrants.’ Additionally, Vanguard noted that the ‘year 2025 was the year Nigerian students pivoted to Schengen countries,’ suggesting that migrants are already looking for alternatives to the North American route.
Echotitbits take: This is a wake-up call for the ‘Japa’ generation. With Canada closing its doors, we expect a shift in migration patterns toward Eastern Europe or a ‘reverse-brain drain’ where skilled Nigerians return home to leverage the improving 2026 domestic economy.
Source: BusinessDay — https://www.google.com/amp/s/businessday.ng/news/article/canada-deports-366-nigerians-as-974-face-removal-in-crackdown/%3famp
BusinessDay January 3, 2026Photo Credit: BusinessDay
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Ghana arrests 141 Nigerians in cybercrime sweep, reigniting cross‑border fraud debate
Photo Credit: The Punch
2025-12-28 09:00:00Reporting by Punch indicates Ghanaian authorities arrested 141 Nigerians in a crackdown linked to suspected cybercrime activity.
The arrests highlight intensifying regional pressure on online fraud networks and the diplomatic sensitivities that follow large-scale detentions of foreign nationals.
Echotitbits take: This will test consular response and law‑enforcement cooperation. Watch for public charge sheets, verified victim counts, and whether both countries set up stronger joint cybercrime tasking rather than periodic raids.
Source: The Punch — December 27, 2025 (https://punchng.com/ghana-arrests-141-nigerians-over-cybercrime/)
The Punch 2025-12-27
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Japa Update: Nigerian Nurses on UK Register Cross 16,000
Photo Credit: The Punch
2025-12-25 09:25:00Figures cited by The Punch show 16,156 Nigerian-trained nurses and midwives have been licensed to practise in the UK between 2017 and September 30, 2025, underlining the sustained health-worker outflow often described as “japa.” The report frames the movement as both opportunity-driven migration and a stress point for Nigeria’s health system.
Beyond the headline number, the broader UK-side data shows shifting recruitment dynamics, including a slowdown in international joiners compared to prior periods—suggesting immigration rules, labour-market conditions, and social climate are affecting inflows.
For Nigeria, the implications are double-edged: remittances and global exposure on one hand, but deepening staffing gaps and training-cost leakage on the other—especially for critical-care and specialist nursing areas.
For validation, the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) reported that “the second and third largest sources of international recruitment are now Nigeria and Ghana,” while The Guardian (UK) cited NMC workforce data noting the number of overseas joiners “is collapsing,” as international inflows slowed in 2025.
Echotitbits take: Nigeria needs a serious retention-and-return strategy—bonding alone won’t work if working conditions remain weak. Watch for policies around pay, safe staffing ratios, housing/transport support, and specialist training pathways that make staying competitive.
Source: The Punch — December 25, 2025 (https://punchng.com/japa-nigerian-nurses-practising-in-uk-hit-over-16000/)
The Punch 2025-12-25
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US Expands Entry Restrictions: What Nigeria’s New Partial Limits Mean for Your Visa Plans
Photo Credit : Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP via Getty Images through NBC News
2025-12-17 09:00:00In a new U.S. presidential proclamation aimed at strengthening national security, Washington says it is expanding entry restrictions for nationals of countries it believes have persistent gaps in screening, vetting, and information-sharing. The policy is presented as a data-driven move to reduce public-safety risks and to push foreign governments to improve cooperation with U.S. immigration and law-enforcement requirements.
The proclamation keeps full entry restrictions on nationals from 12 previously listed countries and adds five more to that “full restriction” category, while also tightening limits for some travel documents and updating partial restrictions for other nations. The U.S. says key concerns include unreliable civil or criminal records, poor birth registration, limited information-sharing, high overstay rates, and in some cases instability and extremist activity that complicate background checks.
For Nigerians, the most important update is that Nigeria is included among countries facing partial restrictions—particularly affecting immigrants and nonimmigrants in common visitor and education-related categories (such as B-1/B-2 and F/M/J). In the text outlining the decision, Nigeria is linked to security challenges in parts of the country and to overstay-rate figures cited for certain visa classes.
On the ground, partial restrictions can translate into tougher scrutiny, slower processing, and more unpredictable outcomes for students, exchange visitors, tourists, business travelers, and families planning trips. Nigerians with legitimate travel plans may need stronger documentation, clearer ties to home, and more careful compliance—while employers, schools, and diaspora networks could see knock-on effects through delayed mobility for study, work, medical trips, and business engagements.
Echotitbits analysis: Nigeria’s inclusion reads as both a security narrative and a systems test: identity management, document integrity, and cross-border data cooperation. For citizens, the safest short-term move is to keep applications “clean”—consistent records, credible documentation, and strict visa compliance. For policymakers, the fastest way to reduce the stigma is measurable improvements in civil registration, anti-fraud enforcement, and cooperation that produces verifiable results.
Source: U.S. Presidential Proclamation -https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/restricting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-united-states-from-foreign-terrorists-and-other-national-security-and-public-safety-threats/