The post AFC, Ecobank, Soto Gallery Partner for 2026 +234 Art Fair in Lagos appeared first on Business Today NG.

The Board of the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund is chaired by the former Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development and the current President of the International Table Tennis Federation, Mr. Enitan Oshodi, with Mr. Olaposi Agunbiade as Executive Secretary/CEO.

Other members of the Board are Mr. Olabode Agoro, Mr. Adeniyi Adedokun Adekoya, Mr. Gbolahan Onibuje, Mr. Jubril Gawat, Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa, Mrs. Olayemi Sarumi, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, Mr. Moshood Ajide, Engr. Ibrahim Adigun, Chairman of the Chairmen of LGs/LCDAs and Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission.

Speaking during the inauguration held at Lagos House, Marina, Governor Sanwo-Olu implored members of the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund to use their contact, skill, professional background and reach for setting up a robust institution in sports for Lagos State.

He said: “The mandate is very straightforward. It is for all of you to use your contact, skill, professional background and reach to help see how we can support funding in sports and help in setting up robust institutions in sports for Lagos State for today and for future generations.

“I will implore that you also look for ways to deploy resources in grassroots sports, school sports, and sporting activities that would encourage growth from our various divisions.

“There are several facilities that we have around that the government first funded. I am sure they are at different stages of completion, if not completed. And there is a lot that also needs improvement. So I believe that you can put the funds into some of these projects.

“There are also a whole lot of people and organisations that would want to support, but they don’t want to come straight to the government. So, this is a quasi-body that can reach out to the private sector and also draw on the experience of the government.”

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund, Mr. Enitan Oshodi, said the most important thing for his team is to create pathways for raising funds to support sports, sporting infrastructure and development.

He said: “The Lagos State Government is spending a lot of money on sports, but it is never enough in a megacity like Lagos with 20 million-plus people. We need facilities to support athletes, and we all know the talents that are bound in sports in Lagos.

“Lagos State Sports Commission is doing a good job, a very good job. But we always need help from the private sector. The greatest sporting nation in the world doesn’t get any government funding in the United States of America. It is the private sector. So our main target really is the support from the private sector. And with the capacity of the people on the board, we see the private sector supporting us.

“We know the private sector and what they want us to do. And the government is spending the money in the right way. So, I think we can make a big success very quickly in the short term. But of course, the great plan is a long-term plan for the development of sports in Lagos.”

The post Babajide Sanwo-Olu Inaugurates Board of Lagos State Sports Trust Fund appeared first on Business Today NG.

In a statement issued in Lagos, the Board described the figure as a sharp uptick in classification exercises, reflecting heightened production output and stricter compliance efforts across the industry. English-language films accounted for the majority of the approvals, alongside entries in indigenous languages and foreign productions.

The Boardin a statement by its Director, Corporate Affairs, Ogbonna Onwumere, on Thursday in Lagos said that the figure represented a sharp rise in film classification activities compared to the previous month.

He said that a breakdown by language showed that English-language productions accounted for the largest share, with 86 films.

According to him, other classifications include eight Igbo films, three Yoruba films, three Hausa films and two Hindi films.

He added that the distribution highlighted the dominance of English-language productions in the Nigerian film market, while also reflecting contributions from indigenous languages and foreign content.

”Analysis by the rating categories also revealed that three films were classified as G (General Viewing), four as PG (Parental Guidance), four as 12A, 64 as 15, and 27 as 18,’’ he said.

The NFVCB corporate affairs director further said that the outcome indicated a significant number of films falling within the 15 and 18 categories, underscoring its commitment to age-appropriate content.

He emphasised the need to safeguard young audiences from potentially harmful material.

He appreciated stakeholders across the film value chain, while reiterating the NFVCB resolve to ensure compliance with film classification, particularly for content distributed online.

”We shall commence the issuance of take down order on films not classified by the board. The implication of the demand notice is that all films not classified on the channel will also be taken down,” he said.

The post Film Classification Jumps Sharply as NFVCB Clears 102 Titles in January appeared first on Business Today NG.

The Seattle Seahawks routed the New England Patriots 29–13 to claim their second Lombardi Trophy.

Players of Nigerian descent on the team’s lineup who helped achieve this victory include Jalen Oluwaseun Milroe, quarterback; Nick Emmanwori, a defensive standout; Uchenna Nwosu, a veteran linebacker; Boye Maye, a linebacker; and Olu Oluwatimi, an irrepressible offensive lineman.

The President also congratulates Michael Onwenu, who played for the other side, the New England Patriots, and is regarded as one of the most dominant offensive linemen.

President Tinubu commends all the players for the pride and honour that they have brought to their country of descent, especially Emmanwori, Nwosu, and Maye, who raised Nigeria’s flag after winning the Super Bowl with the Seahawks.

The President states that these players and their accomplishments affirm Nigerians’ global reputation for excellence and talent.

President Tinubu wishes them continued success and more victories in their respective careers.

The post Tinubu Congratulates Nigerian-Descent Players After Seahawks’ Super Bowl 60 Win appeared first on Business Today NG.

The Afrobeat pioneer, who died in 1997 at the age of 58, will become the first African to receive the honour, which has been awarded since 1963.

Kuti’s family, along with friends and collaborators, will attend the ceremony to receive the award on his behalf. His son, musician Seun Kuti, said the recognition reflects the lasting impact of his father’s work.

“Fela has been in the hearts of the people for such a long time,” Seun Kuti told the BBC. “Now the Grammys have acknowledged it, and it’s a double victory.”

Rikki Stein, Kuti’s longtime manager, described the award as overdue.

“Africa hasn’t in the past rated very highly in their interests. I think that’s changing quite a bit of late,” Stein told the BBC, adding that the recognition was “better late than never”.

The award comes after the Grammys introduced the Best African Performance category in 2024.

Fela Aníkúlápó Kútì, born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti, released more than 50 albums, fusing jazz and funk with traditional Yoruba music and politically charged lyrics. He became one of the most influential cultural figures in modern African history, known for using music as a tool for political protest and resistance.

The 68th Grammy Awards take place on Sunday 31 January 2026. Comedian Trevor Noah will host the show for the sixth consecutive time. Kendrick Lamar leads the nominations with nine in total – including record, song and album of the year – marking the third time he’s had simultaneous nominations in those big categories.

Stay tuned to Euronews Culture for the full breakdown of this year’s Grammys Award winners.

The post Afrobeats legend Fela Kuti to become first African to get Lifetime Achievement Award at Grammys appeared first on Business Today NG.

The film, popularly known as BTS, has grossed over ₦2.4 billion and continues to show in cinemas across Nigeria.

Riding on the milestone, the NFVCB, in a statement on Tuesday, confirmed plans to honour Akindele with a Box Office Queen Award covering 2023, 2024 and 2025.

The board’s Executive Director, Dr Shaibu Husseini, described the achievement as “another landmark moment for Nigerian cinema”.

He said the feat further cemented Akindele’s status as one of Nollywood’s most influential and commercially successful figures.

According to him, Akindele has now delivered record-breaking cinema performances for four consecutive years, a rare accomplishment in the industry.

“This level of consistency reflects creative excellence and a deep understanding of audience engagement and Nigeria’s evolving film business,” Husseini said.

He disclosed that arrangements were ongoing to present the awards at a mutually convenient time.

“We planned to honour her earlier, but she requested a later date. The Minister of Arts and top female executives will join us,” he said.

Husseini added that the Minister, Hannatu Musa Musawa, was “excited about the development”.

He reaffirmed NFVCB’s commitment to recognising achievements that strengthened visibility, growth and commercial sustainability in the audiovisual industry.

In a related development, the board also congratulated actress and filmmaker Toyin Abraham on her directorial debut, ‘Oversabi Auntie’.

The film has crossed ₦1 billion in box office earnings and ranks among the four highest-grossing Nollywood titles of all time.

“This is a historic and impressive entry. We celebrate both filmmakers as symbols of Nollywood’s growth, resilience and global promise,” Husseini said.

The post NFVCB Congratulates Funke Akindele as BTS Crosses ₦2.4bn at Box Office appeared first on Business Today NG.

The lengthy delay came after the spot kick was awarded via the intervention of the video assistant referee (VAR), sparking angry scenes on the touchline and in the crowd, with Senegal fans clashing with security after attempting to break on to the pitch.

After waiting so long to take his penalty, Diaz was under immense pressure, having been handed the chance to end his country’s 50-year wait to lift the Afcon trophy with essentially the final kick of the game, but his decision to chip the ball down the middle backfired horrendously as Edouard Mendy was able to stand his ground and collect in embarrassingly simple fashion.

After 90 minutes which were largely devoid of obvious goalscoring opportunities, the unsavoury scenes at the end were a poor advert for African football, especially with Morocco talking up this tournament as a test event for co-hosting the 2030 Fifa World Cup.

Chances did come at both ends after Gueye’s strike four minutes into extra time, but the closest Morocco came to an equaliser was when Nayef Aguerd powered a header against the bar from a corner.

And as the rain poured down in Rabat, Morocco’s dream of a first continental crown since 1976 was washed away in dramatic fashion.

Senegal were understandably jubilant at the end, having somehow found a way to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, but the sight of celebrating players being separated from their supporters by massed ranks of police in riot gear said everything about the way this game finished.

Having won a first title by beating Egypt on penalties at the 2021 edition, many of the same players returned here for a second bite of the cherry, including talisman Sadio Mane, who has hinted heavily that this will be his last appearance at an Afcon.

But unlike in Cameroon, this time the Teranga Lions were up against the hosts and the fiery atmosphere inside the impressive Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

A first-ever meeting between the two teams at a finals saw Morocco edge proceedings in the first half, but Senegal have the best openings.

Yassine Bounou made a good scrambling save at his far post to keep out Gueye’s goalbound header from a corner, while the African goalkeeper of the year also denied Iliman Ndiaye with a trailing leg.

The start of the second half saw a fired up Morocco exert greater dominance, pinning back their opponents, but still struggling to create clear-cut chances.

In fact, the Atlas Lions got lucky at the start of injury time when Ismaila Sarr nodded the ball into the net after Abdoulaye Seck’s initial header came back off the woodwork after a corner.

However, referee Jean Jacques Ndala had already blown his whistle, awarding a very soft foul for contact between Seck and Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi.

But that was just the start of the drama, as what followed will inevitably be what this game is remembered for.

With eight minutes having originally been added on, Ndala was advised by VAR to check a tug by West Ham defender El Hadji Malick Diouf on Diaz from a corner, with the Congolese deciding to award the spot kick.

What started out as fierce complaints by the Senegalese players quickly descended into chaos on the touchline as both benches emptied onto the pitch.

Having gone head-to-head with opposite number Walid Regragui, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw called his players down the tunnel, while West African fans, some wielding metal chairs, also attempted to fight their way on to the playing surface.

Following a lengthy delay, with Mane the only Teranga Lions player who looked truly uncomfortable with the walk-off, everyone returned to the pitch and Diaz was finally able to take his penalty for what should have been a celebratory moment for his country.

But with history beckoning, the Real Madrid man tried to showboat with a Panenka and paid the price in a way which he is unlikely to ever forget.

Morocco, Africa’s top team in the world rankings, came into this tournament feeling like they had a date with destiny.

For more than a decade, King Mohammed VI has poured huge sums of money into the game, using it as a tool for societal and cultural change, a move which resulted in the Atlas Lions becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final at Qatar 2022.

But this Afcon was supposed to be their crowing achievement, the moment to end a long trophy drought stretching back to 1976.

Instead, they become just the fourth hosts to lose in a final – having seen the past 12 who have reach the showpiece end up as champions.

The moment which broke their hearts came from Villarreal man Gueye, a towering midfield presence who has been one of the tournament’s standout players.

Having burst forward from just inside the Moroccan half, he shrugged off a tired-looking challenge from Hakimi just outside the box and smashed a left-foot rocket into the top right-hand corner, clipping the underside of the bar as it went in.

Morocco did their best to fight back, with substitute Youssef En-Nesyri stooping to head just wide at the near post 10 minutes after Gueye’s goal and Aguerd’s header off the bar following in the second half of extra time.

But Senegal also had chances to extend their lead, with Paris St-Germain teenager Ibrahim Mbaye’s slaloming run and shot blocked by a lunging Hakimi and Cherif Ndiaye denied by a brilliant double save from Bounou.

At the other end, Mendy was being bombarded with missiles thrown by fans behind his goal, with one invader making it onto the pitch next to the former Chelsea stopper before security managed to force him away.

The recriminations over the way in which this game ended will go on for some time – but Senegal are unlikely to care.

If this is to be Mane’s final Afcon he has bowed out in style, and the sight of him being hoisted on to the shoulders of his team-mates, trophy in hand and having had the captain’s armband thrust upon him, will hopefully last longer.

The post Senegal Beat Morocco in Extra Time to Lift Second Africa Cup of Nations Trophy appeared first on Business Today NG.

The President commends the Super Eagles for putting behind them the disappointment of the semi-final loss to host nation Morocco last Wednesday.

The Super Eagles overpowered Egypt, defeating the seven-time AFCON winner, in a penalty shootout after the regular time, in which the Nigerian team dominated.

President Tinubu states that the Super Eagles players, through their victory, have once again demonstrated the determination, persistence, and can-do spirit associated with our country.

The President remarks: “Despite their good run during the tournament, the Eagles lost the semi-final match to Morocco during the penalty shootout last Wednesday, and our people’s hopes of winning the championship were dashed.

“However, our players remained undaunted, and exhibiting the resilience of the Nigerian spirit, their efforts have now paid off.

“We will all be proud of them as they receive their hard-earned bronze medal on Sunday in Rabat, Morocco.

“Thank you, our gallant Super Eagles. Thank you, our national team players. This bronze medal surely feels good like gold.”

The post President Tinubu congratulates Super Eagles on AFCON Bronze Medal appeared first on Business Today NG.

He described their display of resilience, discipline, and national pride as a source of inspiration to the country, adding that Nigeria remains proud of their efforts and achievements on the international stage.

In a statement, the government spokesman acknowledged that the team’s journey so far has been inspiring. Match after match, showing discipline, courage, and belief, reminding Nigerians why the Super Eagles remain one of Africa’s most respected teams.

The Minister said the Super Eagles have been there before, and know what it takes to win at this level,and want them to follow the path of past AFCON triumphs to victories against tough opponents and carry Nigeria’s flag with pride.

He added that the Super Eagles are not alone as they go into the field of play tonight, they equally carry the hopes of millions of Nigerians.

He urged them to Play with the confidence of champions, the unity of brothers, and hunger by staying focused, trust one another, and give their best from the first whistle to the last.

Go out there and write another proud chapter in our football story, play with heart, play with pride, play for Nigeria. The Minister added. #AFCON2025 #NigeriaVsMorocco

The post AFCON 2025: Nigeria Is Proud of You,’ Information Minister Tells Super Eagles appeared first on Business Today NG.

According to statement released by the company today, that  Ugbe is stepping down after a long tenure during which he led the business through major industry and market shifts, strengthening its operational foundations and long-term resilience.

According to Multichoice, Omotosho brings over 20 years of leadership experience across media, telecommunications, and digital businesses in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.

She has also reportedly held several senior roles within the MultiChoice Group, including executive head of customer value management in Nigeria and group executive head of customer value management for rest of Africa”, providing functional leadership across more than 50 markets”.

“Most recently, she served as Regional Director for Southern Africa, with full P&L responsibility for a seven-country portfolio,” the statement further reads.

Omotosho, has a strong track record in leading complex organisations, driving disciplined growth and building high-performing teams, will oversee the company’s strategy, operations and stakeholder engagement, building on the foundation laid by her predecessor.

The post MultiChoice Nigeria Appoints Kemi Omotosho as New CEO appeared first on Business Today NG.