Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: entertainment

  • Afrobeat Royalty: 2Baba and Natasha Dedicate First Child in Church Ceremony

    Afrobeat Royalty: 2Baba and Natasha Dedicate First Child in Church Ceremony

    In a colorful update published by The Punch, legendary Nigerian musician 2Baba (Innocent Idibia) and his wife, Natasha, held a high-profile church dedication for their first child together. The ceremony, which took place in Lagos, was attended by a galaxy of stars from the entertainment industry, making it the most talked-about social event of the week.

    Reporting by The Punch indicates that the couple, who have kept much of their private life out of the headlines recently, shared emotional moments during the service. 2Baba expressed gratitude for the new addition to his family, while Natasha’s presence highlighted the couple’s unity amidst long-standing public interest in their relationship.

    Videos from the event have since gone viral on social media, showing the couple dressed in elegant traditional attire. The dedication marks a joyful milestone for the singer, who remains one of the most influential figures in African music history.

    Vanguard and Channels TV also covered the celebrity event. Vanguard described the ceremony as “a beautiful blend of faith and glitz,” while Channels TV reported that “the event briefly shut down social media as fans sent in thousands of congratulatory messages.”

    Echotitbits take: 2Baba’s ability to remain relevant and beloved after decades in the industry is a testament to his brand. This personal milestone provides a positive narrative for the veteran artist, reminding fans of the human side of the “African Queen” crooner.

    Source: Legit.ng – https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/celebrities/1696676-joy-2baba-wife-natasha-osawaru-dedicate-son-church-god/, February 13, 2026

    Photo credit: Legit.ng

  • 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

  • President Tinubu Unveils 2026 Sports Reform and Funding Reset

    President Tinubu Unveils 2026 Sports Reform and Funding Reset

    Reporting by The Nation indicates that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s sports sector, introducing the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE). The President has mandated a complete “funding reset” starting in 2026, aimed at moving the industry away from total government dependence and toward a commercially viable model that promotes job creation and tourism.

    The President expressed his dissatisfaction with bureaucratic bottlenecks that have historically hindered athlete development. Under the new framework, the National Sports Commission (NSC) will oversee a unified funding pool designed to provide early support for elite athletes and revitalize grassroots participation across all 36 states.

    Validating the move, Channels TV reported that the reform is a response to Nigeria’s record-breaking performance in 2025, noting that “the administration wants to capitalize on recent international successes to drive foreign direct investment into sports infrastructure.” The Guardian also quoted a sports analyst saying, “This is the first time we are seeing a deliberate shift from sports as ‘social service’ to sports as ‘big business’ in Nigeria.”

    Echotitbits take: Nigeria has long been a sporting giant with “clay feet” due to poor funding. By treating sports as an economic sector rather than just a hobby for the youth, the government is looking to tap into a multi-billion dollar global industry. Success will depend on whether private investors trust the new NSC structure enough to put their money into Nigerian stadia and academies.

    Source: The Nation – https://thenationonlineng.net/tinubu-unveils-major-sports-sector-reform-orders-funding-reset-from-2026-2/, February 7, 2026

    Photo credit: The Nation

  • Wike Announces Grand Plans for FCT at 50 Celebrations

    Wike Announces Grand Plans for FCT at 50 Celebrations

    According to reporting by The Punch, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has officially announced plans for a landmark celebration to mark Abuja’s 50th anniversary. The “FCT at 50” events are expected to showcase the city’s transformation from a virgin territory in 1976 to a modern African metropolis. The Minister noted that the celebration would include the commissioning of several multi-billion naira infrastructure projects.

    The festivities are designed to promote Abuja as a premier destination for tourism and investment in West Africa. Wike emphasized that the milestone provides an opportunity to reflect on the city’s master plan and recommit to urban renewal efforts. Key highlights will include cultural festivals, investment summits, and the honoring of the city’s founding fathers.

    Daily Post and Leadership have both featured the Minister’s announcement. Daily Post reported that “the FCT administration is collaborating with private sector partners to fund the anniversary events.” Leadership Newspaper mentioned that “residents are expecting a facelift of several satellite towns as part of the celebratory projects.”

    Echotitbits take:

    Under Wike’s tenure, Abuja has seen a rapid acceleration of road and bridge construction. Using the 50th anniversary as a deadline for these projects is a clever political and administrative move to ensure completion. Expect a significant boost in the local hospitality sector during the anniversary month, though residents should prepare for temporary traffic diversions.

    Source: The Guardian – https://guardian.ng/news/abuja-50-golden-jubilee-drives-renewed-infrastructure-push-wike/, February 5, 2026

    Photo credit: The Guardian

  • Blackdrum TV Celebrates 5 Years of Promoting African Culture

    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

  • Sports Triumph: Nigeria’s Golden Arrows Defeat Algeria in Handball Opener

    Sports Triumph: Nigeria’s Golden Arrows Defeat Algeria in Handball Opener

    Sports Triumph: Nigeria’s Golden Arrows Defeat Algeria in Handball Opener

    Nigeria’s senior men’s handball team, the Golden Arrows, opened the Africa Men’s Handball Nations Cup in Rwanda with a 25–23 win over Algeria, signaling a strong start to the year in multi-sport performance.

    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: Handball has long lived in football’s shadow. Consistent results can unlock corporate sponsorship and investment in coaching and facilities—the real backbone of long-term growth.

    Source: Premium Times – https://www.premiumtimesng.com/sports/nigeria-sports-news/851194-africa-handball-nations-cup-nigerias-golden-arrows-beat-algeria.html#:~:text=Nigeria’s%20Senior%20Men’s%20Handball%20Team,Nations%20Cup%20in%20Kigali%2C%20Rwanda. (2026-01-22)

    Photo credit: Premium Times

    2026-01-22 16:00:00

     

  • Victor Osimhen’s Temperament Sparks Concern in Eagles Camp

    Victor Osimhen’s Temperament Sparks Concern in Eagles Camp

    According to The Guardian, a visible on-pitch exchange between Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman during Nigeria’s 4-0 win over Mozambique raised questions about team harmony, despite Osimhen’s two-goal contribution.

    Osimhen has been described as outspoken and highly competitive, qualities that can drive standards but also create friction. Analysts worry public disputes could affect cohesion as Nigeria faces tougher opponents in the AFCON knockout rounds.

    Reports say coach José Peseiro held discussions with both players to de-escalate tensions, and some camp sources framed the incident as competitive emotion rather than a deeper rift.

    The Punch and Vanguard also referenced the incident and noted divided fan reactions online.

    Echotitbits take: High intensity can be fuel or fire. If Nigeria keeps winning, it reads as passion; if results dip, discipline questions will dominate headlines. Watch for visible unity in training and match celebrations.

    Source: Premium Times – https://www.premiumtimesng.com/sports/football/848216-why-osimhens-temperament-matters-as-much-as-his-goals.html 2026-01-09

    Photo Credit: Premium Times

  • 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

  • Destiny Etiko Reflects on 2025 Wins While Teasing ‘Bigger Deals’ for 2026

    Destiny Etiko Reflects on 2025 Wins While Teasing ‘Bigger Deals’ for 2026

    In an update published by Vanguard, Nollywood superstar Destiny Etiko has expressed her gratitude for a successful 2025, which saw her dominate both the box office and digital streaming platforms. The actress hinted at major international collaborations and production deals already signed for the 2026 calendar year.

    Etiko’s rise coincides with the broader growth of the Nigerian entertainment industry, which has become a significant contributor to the nation’s non-oil GDP. Her message to fans emphasized resilience and the importance of professional evolution in an increasingly competitive global market.

    The Guardian noted that entertainment spaces like Lakowe Lakes are ‘quietly challenging how people connect,’ reflecting the lifestyle boom Etiko represents. Additionally, BusinessDay highlighted that ‘growing sports and entertainment events are shaping youth and the economy,’ marking personalities like Etiko as key economic influencers.

    Echotitbits take: Etiko has successfully transitioned from ‘YouTube Queen’ to a legitimate corporate brand. Her 2026 strategy likely involves behind-the-camera roles, following the path of Funke Akindele and Mo Abudu in building media empires rather than just acting.

    Source: Facebook — https://web.facebook.com/100070183201863/posts/actress-destiny-etiko-sealed-the-year-2025-with-heartfelt-gratitude-message-as-s/1179369201079176/?_rdc=1&_rdr#
    Facebook January 3, 2026

    Photo Credit: Facebook

  • Funke Akindele’s “Behind The Scenes” breaks ₦200m opening-weekend mark

    Funke Akindele’s “Behind The Scenes” breaks ₦200m opening-weekend mark

    The Nation (photo on page)
    2025-12-16

    According to The Guardian, Funke Akindele’s film Behind The Scenes crossed ₦200 million in its opening weekend, citing FilmOne’s performance announcement and admissions figures.

    The report highlights how strong distribution, marketing and screen allocation can turn local titles into blockbuster runs.

    The next signal to watch is whether the film sustains momentum beyond opening weekend.

    FilmOne/Instagram reposts: “crosses ₦200M in one weekend…”

    Note: “A second mainstream outlet confirmation with a direct quote was not available in retrieved sources for this session.”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: This strengthens the argument that Nollywood’s theatrical ceiling is rising if execution is tight. Watch week-two drop-off, piracy impact, and diaspora screenings that can extend the revenue tail.

    Source: The Guardian (Nigeria) — December 16, 2025 (https://guardian.ng/life/funke-akindeles-behind-the-scenes-records-over-%e2%82%a6200m-in-opening-weekend)