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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended warm felicitations to veteran journalist and public relations icon, Oloye Lekan Alabi, on the celebration of his 75th birthday today.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Oloye Alabi as ‘a consummate professional whose career in journalism and public relations has been defined by integrity, hard work, and service’.

Oloye Alabi, the Abese-Olubadan of Ibadan land and Cultural Ambassador of the National Museum and Monuments, Ile-Ife, is widely celebrated for his pioneering contributions to media and corporate communication in Nigeria.

President Tinubu applauded his illustrious career trajectory, beginning at the defunct Sketch newspaper, through the Western Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (later the Nigerian Television Authority, Ibadan), and his later role as Public Relations Manager at Odu’a Investment Company Limited.

He particularly lauded Oloye Alabi’s exceptional record as the Chief Press Secretary to four successive governors in the old Oyo State – a rare feat that, according to the President, underscores his ‘professionalism, tenacity, and reliability’.

President Tinubu also acknowledged Oloye Alabi’s contributions as an author and cultural promoter, referencing the recently launched festschrift in his honour in Ibadan as a testament to his enduring legacy.

The President prayed for continued good health, wisdom, and renewed strength for the celebrant, describing him as ‘one of Nigeria’s finest media ambassadors and a shining example of dedication to public service’.

Also, President Tinubu has extended warm felicitations to former Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, High Chief Edem Duke, on his 70th birthday.

A statement yesterday in Abuja by Mr. Onanuga said the President joined Chief Duke’s family, friends, and associates in celebrating a distinguished patriot whose life, he said, has been marked by selfless service, community development, and unwavering promotion of Nigeria’s image.

President Tinubu praised the former minister’s long years of national service, acknowledging his remarkable contributions during his tenure at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and later in the federal cabinet, where he also served as the Supervising Minister of Information.

The President also acknowledged Chief Duke’s enduring legacy in the promotion of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and his efforts in boosting the tourism sector, particularly through initiatives that projected the country’s creative and cultural diversity to the world.

He applauded Chief Duke’s pioneering role in the conceptualisation and establishment of the Centenary City project in Abuja, describing it as a visionary contribution to Nigeria’s national development and global outlook.

President Tinubu wished the Cross River-born statesman a joyous 70th birthday celebration and prayed for his continued good health, happiness, and prosperity in the years ahead.

Lagos State government has commenced the payment of compensation to affected residents of Oworonshoki in Kosofe Local Government Area, in fulfilment of its earlier promise to those impacted by the ongoing urban renewal and regeneration programme in the area.

The exercise, which began on October 23, 2025, was described as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to humane and inclusive urban development.

Speaking at a ceremony held at the palace of the traditional ruler of Oworonshoki, the General Manager, Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA), Olajide Animashaun, said the payment followed a series of verification, engagement, and enumeration exercises carried out in collaboration with community stakeholders.

According to Animashaun, the regeneration initiative became necessary due to the proliferation of illegal and dilapidated structures within Oworonshoki, many of which were built on drainage channels and waterways, posing serious environmental and safety risks.

‘Oworonshoki is one of the communities earmarked under the state’s comprehensive urban renewal and regeneration plan. Many of the affected structures were unsafe for habitation and constituted environmental hazards. However, in line with the inclusive governance policy of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, the state made a commitment to compensate verified affected residents and today, that promise is being fulfilled,’ Animashaun stated.

He expressed appreciation to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Lagosians, noting that the payment exercise reflected the government’s sincerity and accountability in implementing its urban renewal policies.

Animashaun also commended the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development and the Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki, for their dedication and tireless efforts toward the realisation of the initiative.

The event was attended by representatives of the Oworonshoki traditional council, Community Development Associations (CDAs), Community Development Council (CDC) members, civil society organisations, security agencies, and the media.

It will be recalled that the Lagos State Government had, in recent months, cleared several illegal and substandard structures across Oworonshoki as part of efforts to reclaim right-of-way for drainage systems, improve environmental conditions, and enhance public safety.

According to LASURA, a total of 79 beneficiaries were verified for compensation, to be paid in two batches, with the first group receiving their cheques on Thursday, while the second batch will be attended to on Friday at the same venue.

Some beneficiaries who spoke to journalists expressed gratitude to the state government for keeping its word.

One of them, Mrs Ajimoh Oyenuga, said: ‘The government gave us this money as compensation for the houses demolished on Precious Street, Oworonshoki. We are grateful because it shows that the government cares about our well-being.’

Another beneficiary, Mrs. Olaide Fatima, added: ‘My house was close to the water, and it wasn’t safe. The government promised to compensate us, and today they have done it. I really appreciate this gesture, promise made, promise kept.’

The LASURA boss reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring that urban renewal projects across Lagos are implemented with fairness and transparency, while prioritising the welfare of residents and communities affected by development projects

An octogenarian and matriarch of Ijebu royal lineage, Princess Sidikat Onasanya (nee Adebisi), has said the next Awujale of Ijebuland should emerge from either Olufadi or Tunwase royal families of Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

Mrs. Onasanya, the eldest child of the late Prince Fasasi Adeyemi, popularly known as Obanlefa within the Ijebu-Ode royal circle, made this known in a statement issued at the weekend.

She based her position on what she described as historical, oral and gazetted facts that outlined the royal succession procedure within Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu-Ode.

Princess Onasanya said: ‘Ijebu-Ode royal gazette is clear. If no princes worthy of the Awujale stool are ready and available from Abidagba Okunrin lineage of the Olufadi or Tunwase families, then princes from Abidagba Obinrin lineage may be considered, followed by those from the Abidoye lineage.’

She noted that Fusengbuwa Ruling House comprised eight family units; with Olufadi and Tunwase representing the two male Abidagba Okunrin lineages, and Shenowo, Okunyandewo, Adebiyi and Adeberu representing the four Abidagba Obinrin lineages.

She added that two lineages born before her great-great-great-grandfather, Fusengbuwa, ascended the Awujale stool, Oshinuga and Adekenu; representing the two Abidoye lineages.

Recounting the genealogy, Princess Onasanya said Fusengbuwa had eight wives and eight children (Idi-Igi Mejo). Two were born before he ascended the throne, Osinuga and Adekenu; while six were born after he became Awujale in 1790.

She said: ‘The first male child born on the throne was Olufadekemi, known as Olufadi, followed by Ali Adesimbo, later known as Tunwase. These are the first legitimate royal sons of Fusengbuwa,’ she narrated.

She noted that her late father, Prince Adeyemi aka Obanlefa served as Olori Ebi of Fusengbuwa Ruling House for 25 years (1988-2013).

She said during his tenure, he worked with the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, before his passing at the age of 96.

The member representing Owo/Ose Federal Constituency of Ondo State, Oluwatimehin Adelegbe, is set to install about 3,000 solar- powered street lights across the constituency.

The installation is part of efforts to light up the constituency with a view to eliminating dark spots that can provide safe haven for criminals.

In a statement in Abuja, Adelegbe said: ‘In my commitment to the delivery of dividends of democracy to my people in Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, I am embarking on the installation of 3,000 solar-powered street lights as part of efforts towards good representation to the people, in line with our electoral promises.

‘We have gone past the stage of the provision of street lights in some major streets to the stage of personalising services, so as to ensure we reach out to churches, mosques, security offices, homes of notable community and political leaders, including heads of non-indigenes and traditional leaders.’

The statement said 110 individuals would benefit from the street light distribution in Owo, while 104 people would also benefit in Ose Local Government.

In addition, 19 traditional rulers, 13 security posts, 30 camps, Anglican Church, as well as heads of Hausa, Igbo, Ibarra, Ebira and Idoma communities and churches and mosques in about nine communities will also benefit from the exercise in Owo.

In Ose Local Government, 25 camps, 24 churches, six security posts, the palace of eight traditional rulers and 12 communities will also benefit from the light.

One year after launching its landmark N1.2 billion 10-Year Scholarship Programme to support education and youth development, OPay is set to host the Empowering Futures Conference 2025 on October 31 at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja.

The conference will bring together stakeholders from academia, the private sector, and the media to reflect on the milestones achieved in the past year and discuss how greater collaboration can amplify the impact of social investments in Nigeria.

Since its inception, OPay’s N1.2 billion Scholarship Programme has become a cornerstone of the company’s corporate social responsibility vision.

In its first year alone, the programme has successfully onboarded 20 tertiary institutions nationwide, enabling hundreds of students across all six geopolitical zones to access financial assistance for tuition, accommodation, and essential study materials.

This inaugural edition of the Empowering Futures Conference will not only celebrate this progress but also mark the official unveiling of the OPay CyberLab Initiative – a forward-looking project aimed at advancing digital literacy and innovation across Nigeria’s higher institutions.

This edition will also spotlight the Graduate Recruitment Initiative, which connects top graduates with job opportunities within OPay’s ecosystem. Together, these programmes reflect the company’s broader mission to empower the next generation with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in a digital economy.

‘At OPay, our belief is simple – access to quality education and technology creates lasting change,’ said Elizabeth Wang, Chief Commercial Officer at OPay.

‘Through the Scholarship Programme, Graduate Recruitment, and now the CyberLab Initiative, we’re helping young Nigerians turn potential into purpose.

‘The Empowering Futures Conference is our way of celebrating these strides and inspiring even greater collaboration for national impact.’

The Empowering Futures Conference 2025 represents a defining milestone in OPay’s CSR journey – a moment to celebrate achievements, unveil new initiatives, and reaffirm the company’s commitment to empowering Nigerian youth through education, innovation, and opportunity.

OPay was established in 2018 as a leading financial institution in Nigeria with the mission to make financial services more inclusive through technology.

The company offers a wide range of payment services, including money transfer, bill payment, airtime and data purchase, card service, and merchant payments, among others.

Renowned for its super-fast experience and reliable network, OPay is licensed by the CBN and insured by the NDIC with the same insurance coverage as commercial banks.

Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan on October 23 assumed duty as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). That was exactly a week after he was cleared for the job by the Senate of the Federal Republic, and on the heels of his being sworn-in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He took the baton from Professor Mahmood Yakubu who held the office for two consecutive terms that lasted 10 years – the first occupant to hold fort for that length of time.

President Tinubu tapped Amupitan, a professor of Law with specialty in company law, law of evidence, corporate governance and privatisation law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), for the job about a week earlier on following unanimous endorsement of his candidacy by the National Council of State. The President said he was chosen owing to his apolitical stance, integrity and impeccable record of service.

The 58-year-old from Ayetoro Gbede, in Ijumu council area of Kogi State, was until his appointment Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos and Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State. He becomes the sixth substantive chairman of INEC since the advent of the Fourth Republic and the second from the field of Law, after the late Justice Ephraim Akpata who was the pioneer chairman.

At the confirmation hearing where he was asked to take a bow and leave after being interrogated for about two hours by senators, Amupitan outlined his vision for deepening electoral credibility in Nigeria. He also pledged to strengthen institutional reforms within INEC and expand the use of technology to ensure more transparent and efficient elections. Nigeria, according to him, deserves elections where the loser would readily congratulate the winner. ‘We’re going to see how elections can be made credible such that the loser will come and congratulate the winner and say, ‘You won fairly and well,” the professor said. He stressed the need for enhanced electoral credibility, saying credible elections would also restore voter confidence.

The new electoral czar takes office at a time of great expectations from INEC. His first litmus test is the Anambra State off-cycle governorship election holding November 8, which he urged INEC personnel to brace up for on the day he assumed duty. Truth, though, is that he is too new to make much difference in the state of the commission’s readiness hitherto and will have to depend heavily on what he met in place.

Still, the new helmsman comes to a full plate of tasks, with the electoral commission set to conduct no fewer than four other off-cycle polls, including governorships in Ekiti and Osun states before the 2027 general election. It will be Amupitan’s duty to ensure that these polls reflect the will of voters.

Meanwhile, timelines leading up to the next general poll are already extremely tight. Under the framework of law as presently obtains, INEC is expected to issue a one-year notice of election, meaning the commission must issue that notice by February 2026 if the election will hold in February/March 2027. Lately, there were reports that national lawmakers contemplate effecting changes in the law to move the general election forward by six months, so to allow time for exhausting petitions arising from the polls before May 29, 2027 inauguration date for new tenures.

This proposal implies that the upcoming poll could fall in November 2026. If lawmakers push through with the idea, INEC should be ready to issue the notice of election this November – that is, only a couple of weeks from now. And so, the new chairman must double pace in settling down so as to get a handle on the electoral project he will be presiding over in due time. True, the commission has a bureaucracy that keeps its operations going even amidst transition in leadership, but the election call is inevitably that of the helmsman who will answer for the outcomes.

The new INEC chair couldn’t be more on point when he spoke at his confirmation hearing about the need to deepen the credibility of elections. He has his job cut out there, because much of the ills that presently plague Nigeria’s electoral system hang on this factor. For instance, voter turnout has progressively dwindled against ballooning voter register – hitting a low of all lows at 26.72 percent turnout in the 2023 general election.

It is not INEC’s core responsibility to mobilise voters for higher turnout, but that of political parties and other stakeholders like the media and civil society. The commission, however, must lead the charge by deepening election credibility as would boost voter confidence and thus encourage turnout.

Deepened credibility of elections could also begin to re-acculturate political actors from the tendency to acute desperation that fuels violence during elections and largely accounts for high cost of polls. Much of the expenses incurred on elections by INEC are informed by efforts to stay ahead of desperation-induced malpractices by political actors; and that is not mentioning endless election-related litigations at huge costs to public as well as private treasuries.

Amupitan said he envisioned the day when losers would readily congratulate winners. That is a lofty goal he needs all the resolve, grit and sagacity he can muster to pursue. The factors of tribe, religion, the big man syndrome and sense of entitlement have beclouded our sense of political propriety, hence acceptance of electoral defeat has become a challenge.

While at the task, the new INEC boss must find a way to cut the cost of Nigerian elections. The 2023 poll got N355.298billion in appropriation and ranked as the costliest election – in committed sum – since the Fourth Republic began. Of course, we know that it all ties together. Cutting election costs by the electoral commission largely depends on greater civility among political actors; while politicians, for their part, might just be waiting to see indubitable proof of election credibility to de-escalate desperation. That is why it falls back on the electoral commission to better fine-tune its processes so to win greater confidence from political players, just as it does from voters. Amupitan will be in the driving seat of that whole endeavour.

There are broad-stroke expectations from the new INEC chief, like strengthening the statutory independence of the commission and reinforcing its neutrality from partisans. He is also expected to build on technology deployments by his predecessors to steer this country into full-scale electronic voting. People who know the new electoral czar say he is brilliant, non-partisan and high on integrity. But the tasks ahead require more than those personality traits to navigate the toxic political environment and insider derelictions within the electoral agency itself. We wish him all the luck he needs.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) yesterday inaugurated a modern naval base at Ayakoro in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The commission’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, gave reasons for establishing the naval base in the area.

The NDDC boss noted that the area is strategic because of its critical positioning as a gateway ‘for kidnappers and those involved in illegal oil bunkering and artisanal oil refining’.

He added: ‘This particular location was chosen by the Navy because of its critical positioning. From this junction, there is a creek that takes you to Sangana in Southern Ijaw. If this point is not blocked, our safety will be challenged. In the past, kidnappers and those involved in illegal oil bunkering and artisanal oil refining carried their products from this place through Onuebum.

‘So, with this facility here, it puts a stop to criminality through this area.’.

The ceremony attracted dignitaries, including Governor Douye Diri, the management team of the NDDC, as well as the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Idi Abbas; the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Aliyu Gaya; the Commander of NNS Soroh, Commodore Omobamidele Akinbami, and leaders of traditional institutions.

Ogbuku assured Niger Delta residents of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s love, stressing his determination to develop the region.

He said: ‘I stand here to tell the people of this region that Mr. President is a believer and a lover of Niger Delta. He is doing everything to ensure the region is developed.’

The NDDC boss said the partnership with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies across the Niger Delta region was informed by the reasoning that security and development are intertwined.

He praised the security agencies for their sacrifices and ensuring projects were completed on schedule.

Ogbuku said: ‘They are the ones out there ensuring we sleep peacefully. It’s because they have done their jobs very well you see projects springing up across Niger Delta.’ The NDDC boss described the Niger Delta as the most peaceful region in Nigeria due to the efforts of security agencies.

He recalled that in the past, many contractors were scared of working in many parts of the region due to insecurity.

‘But for their support, we will not be able to carry out these projects to conclusion. There was a time contractors were afraid of going to certain parts of Niger Delta due to the fear of militants and criminals. But today, I can tell you that Niger Delta is one of the most peaceful regions in Nigeria due to the performance of security agents in the region,’ Ogbuku said.

The NDDC boss praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for putting together ‘these officers and men that have worked tirelessly in the region to promote peace’.

The naval base has an administrative block, an accommodation block, and a 40-man houseboat equipped with two units 100 kva hp generator, two gunboats with two units of 200 kva Yamaha generators, and a 60 kva solar inverter system installed at administrative and accommodation blocks as a back-up power supply.

It also has a 30 kva solar inverter installed at the 40-man houseboat as a backup power supply, a full option Toyota Hilux for operational use, a newly built operational floating jetty, and a set of satellite radio receivers for proper and effective communication.

Chief Clever Akpotu, a community leader, said the event was a testament to the determination of President Tinubu’s administration to enhance security on the waterways.

He expressed gratitude about the appointment of Ogbuku, who hails from the community.

The Commandant of the Joint Task Force, code-named Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), Rear Admiral Noel Madugu, said the provision of the naval base was a demonstration of an understanding of the security needs of the coastal communities and the critical role the Navy played in protecting lives, livelihoods, and economic assets in the region.

Diri, who was represented by an aide, Brig.-Gen. Eric Angaye (retd), said most of Nigeria’s maritime domain and international coastline outside Lagos were within the Gulf of Guinea in the coast of Niger Delta.

He stressed the importance of Niger Delta to the country’s oil and gas economy, lauding the regional interventionist agency for the project, which he said would enhance economic activities.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State will serve as a test for the upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

According to the commission, the exercise will help assess the efficiency of the upgraded BVAS and evaluate the process of uploading results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

INEC also disclosed that no fewer than 540 journalists from across the country have been accredited to cover the upcoming election.

The National Commissioner supervising Anambra State and Chairman of the Tenders Board Committee, Dr Kenneth Ikeagu, made this known on Saturday night while addressing reporters at the INEC headquarters in Awka.

He explained that the election would take place across 5,718 polling units in the state, with about 24,000 trained ad hoc staff deployed to ensure a smooth process.

‘INEC is ready for this election. The commission is fully prepared and committed to conducting a credible, fair, and inclusive governorship poll,’ Ikeagu said.

He noted that INEC had implemented a comprehensive plan of action covering logistics, technology, training, stakeholder engagement, and security coordination.

As part of its preparations, the commission conducted a mock accreditation exercise in selected polling units across the three senatorial districts of the state on Saturday.

‘The exercise was designed to test the upgraded BVAS, assess its efficiency, and evaluate the process of uploading results to the IReV portal ahead of the main election,’ Ikeagu added.

Reigning champions Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club will begin their 2025 Nigeria Basketball Premier League (NBPL) Playoffs (Final Eight) campaign against Hoops and Read.

Following a technical meeting between participating teams and league organisers, which held on Sunday, 26th October, it was revealed that the defending champions will continue their chase for a third straight league title by rekindling hostilities with last year’s beaten finalists.

Hoops and Read have emerged as contenders for the NBPL title in recent years but have fallen short against the KingsMen in competitive basketball, losing their last three meetings, with the most recent being a 67-58 loss at the start of this year’s Inter-Group Phase.

The latest instalment in what is now a growing rivalry is expected to tip off by 4pm today, 27th October.

The KingsMen, who are yet unbeaten through the 2025 NBPL season so far, will then navigate games against Kano Pillars, Nigeria Customs, Gboko City Chiefs, Lagos Legends, and Nile University Spartans before wrapping up proceedings against Kwara Falcons, respectively.

2025 NBPL PLAYOFFS (FINAL EIGHT) FULL SCHEDULE:

Day 1 – Monday, 27th October:

10:00am: Lagos Legends vs. Nigeria Customs

12:00pm: Nile University vs. Kwara Falcons

2:00pm: Kano Pillars vs. Gboko City Chiefs

4:00pm: Rivers Hoopers vs. Hoops and Read

Day 2 – Tuesday, 28th October

10:00am: Kwara Falcons vs. Lagos Legends

12:00pm: Nigeria Customs vs. Gboko City Chiefs

2:00pm: Nile University vs. Hoops and Read

4:00pm: Kano Pillars vs. Rivers Hoopers

Day 3 – Wednesday, 29th October

10:00am: Kwara Falcons vs. Hoops and Read

12:00pm: Lagos Legends vs. Gboko City Chiefs

2:00pm: Nile University vs. Kano Pillars

4:00pm: Rivers Hoopers vs. Nigeria Customs

Day 4-Thursday, 30th October

10:00am: Kano Pillars vs. Kwara Falcons

12:00pm: Nigeria Customs vs. Nile University

2:00pm: Hoops and Read vs. Lagos Legends

4:00pm: Gboko City Chiefs vs. Rivers Hoopers

Day 5 – Friday, 31st October

10:00am: Kano Pillars vs. Hoops and Read

12:00pm: Nile University vs. Gboko City Chiefs

2:00pm: Kwara Falcons vs. Nigeria Customs

4:00pm: Lagos Legends vs. Rivers Hoopers

Day 6- Saturday, 1st November

10:00am: Nigeria Customs vs. Hoops and Read

12:00pm: Gboko City Chiefs vs. Kwara Falcons

2:00pm: Rivers Hoopers vs. Nile University

4:00pm: Lagos Legends vs. Kano Pillars

Day 7 – Sunday, 2nd November

10:00am: Hoops and Read vs. Gboko City Chiefs

12:00pm: Nigeria Customs vs. Kano Pillars

2:00pm: Nile University vs. Lagos Legends

4:00pm: Rivers Hoopers vs. Kwara Falcons

All games will be played at the Basketball Stadium, #59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt Township.

Despite global economic pressures, Nigeria remains the fastest-growing Entertainment and Media (E and M) market in Africa, with projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) at 7.2 per cent through 2029.

Multinational professional services firm PwC made this projection in its latest ‘Africa Entertainment and Media Outlook-Perspectives Report 2025-2029’ released on Thursday.

The outlook provides detailed insights into how technological advancements, consumer behaviour shifts, and market dynamics are driving growth and transformation across Africa’s E and M sector.

The 14th annual Africa E and M outlook offers an in-depth analysis of the drivers and inhibitors of E and M sector growth, as well as the latest trends and insights set to shape the African E and M market across South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya over the next five years

The outlook, which was made available to The Nation, said the African E and M sectors in South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya continue to outperform global benchmarks, displaying resilience in the face of ongoing macro-economic challenges.

Outperforming global averages, the report said South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria lead the continent’s growth, with Nigeria showing particularly strong momentum at an 11.2 per cent growth rate in 2024.

‘In 2024, Nigeria led the region with a remarkable 11.2 per cent growth rate, followed by Kenya at 7.1 per cent and South Africa at 6.2 per cent.

‘Looking ahead, the CAGR through 2029 is projected to be 7.2 per cent for Nigeria, 5.2 per cent for Kenya and 3.5 per cent for South Africa, indicating sustained momentum across all three markets,’ PwC said.

According to the report, these markets, supported by mature and diverse media landscapes, are embracing digital innovation to scale platforms, adapting to consumer behaviour and unlocking new revenue streams.

The report noted that a key driver of the growth across all three markets is the rapid expansion of internet advertising, particularly in Nigeria and Kenya, where mobile-first internet usage is accelerating.

‘Internet connectivity in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria continues to expand, driven by mobile access and rising demand for digital services-with Nigeria reaching over 107 million internet users,’ PwC said

The firm, however, stated that Kenya stands out globally, with its internet advertising market projected to grow at a ACGR of 16 per cent-the fastest globally.

It also said video content in South Africa accounts for over 76 per cent of all data usage, adding that in 2027, 5G subscription technology across South Africa is expected to surpass 3G subscriptions in terms of adoption and usage.

PwC also said Over-The-Top (OTT) services are growing at a CAGR of 6.7 per cent in South Africa, 8 per cent in Nigeria and 11.2 per cent in Kenya, reflecting strong consumer demand for digital content.

‘Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming platforms are expected to continue their robust growth across the region, progressively gaining ground in relation to traditional broadcast TV,’ the report stated.

PwC further said GenAI is emerging as a transformative force in Africa’s E and M industry, enhancing content creation, recommendation engines and customer engagement.

It, however, said ‘Nigeria, with its youthful and tech-savvy population, is particularly well-positioned to harness GenAI’s potential.’

According to the report, live entertainment is also rebounding, with live music revenues surpassing pre-pandemic levels and esports gaining momentum across all regions.

‘Strong growth of music streaming is complementing the region’s live entertainment revival, with streaming consumer spend now accounting for nearly 36 per cent of South Africa’s total consumer music income.

‘Gaming and esports are on track to overtake traditional television globally by 2029,’ the report stated.

PwC emphasised that the future Africa’s E and M sector is one set to be characterised by transformation, driven by rapid technological advancements, evolving consumer behaviours and in increasingly digital-savvy population.

The firm pointed out that central to this evolution is the continued rise of mobile-first content consumption, as smartphones and affordable data plans become the main access points for media across the continent.

‘As internet penetration deepens and connectivity improves, particularly through 4G and 5G network expansions, the accessibility and quality of digital media will improve dramatically, opening new doors for content creators and distributors, PwC said.

It, however, stated that a robust and adaptive regulatory environment will be critical for sustainable growth across the E and M ecosystem.

‘Governments and policymakers need to balance fostering innovation and investment with protecting intellectual property rights and ensuring fair competition.

‘Public-private partnerships and industry collaborations will be required to build the necessary infrastructure and digital skills development programmes,’ PwC’s team of four experts recommended.

They include Director, Africa Entertainment and Media Leader, PwC South Africa, Charles Stuart; Director, Technology, Media and Telecommunications Leader, PwC Nigeria, Udochi Muogilim.

Others are Director, Africa Technology, Media and Telecommunications Industry Leader, PwC South Africa, Nana Madikane; and Director, Entertainment and Media, PwC Kenya, Michael Mugasa.