Entertainment
Seven Nollywood Talents Who Rose To Stardom On Africa Magic

Nollywood has numerous actors and actresses who wear different characters to entertain us in movies. The steady rise of Nollywood talents in recent years is remarkable, and this is down to the investment of platforms like Africa Magic in talent discovery and commissioning/licensing of movies and series that cast budding talents. In celebration of Africa Magic at 20, here is a list of renowned Nollywood telnets who rose to stardom on the Africa Magic platform:
Tobi Bakre: He’s no doubt one of the hottest talents around at the moment. Tobi rose to stardom on one of Africa Magic’s reality TV shows, Big Brother Nigeria. He won the AMVCA’s Best Actor in 2023 for his role in the blockbuster movie, Brotherhood. His first-ever movie role was in the Africa Magic original drama, Hustle. Tobi is also the lead character in the ongoing Africa Magic series, Slum King.
Tope Olowoniyan: She’s an actress with a fast-rising stock in the movie industry since she made her acting debut in 2015. Africa Magic audiences will remember Olowoniyan’s role in popular series such as Hush, Battleground, Tinsel, Riona, and Enakhe. These roles have earned her scripts on other projects in Nollywood. “My growth in Nollywood fundamentally was because of Africa Magic. I cannot talk about my career without mentioning Africa Magic,” she said while speaking about her acting career.
Femi Odugbemi: This popular producer is a perfect example of how Africa Magic elevated the art of indigenous storytelling in Africa. Odugbemi’s career success is hugely down to his works with Africa Magic which has seen him produce series such as Battleground and Tinsel. As a rookie producer in 2004, Odugbemi pitched his project, ‘Mama Put’ to Africa Magic, and secured $100,000 investment. That, according to him, was the turning point in his career. He then pitched Tinsel with co-producers, and the result is what we see today. Tinsel is currently the longest-running series on Africa Magic, with over 3000 episodes.
Gideon Okeke: He is one of the first beneficiaries of the Africa Magic investment in movie production and talent development. The actor got his first acting role in Tinsel, in 2007. His Tinsel performances earned him a nomination by Africa Magic for a role in the popular South Africa series, Jacob’s Cross. “Tinsel was the first film school I attended. My work on Tinsel inspired me to become the artist I am today,” Okeke said about his acting career.
Ireti Doyle: This movie star also owes her popularity to the Africa Magic platform. In a recent interview, the actress narrated how she almost didn’t go for the Tinsel audition, the show that shot her to stardom. Ireti Doyle is one of the longest-running cast members on the series with her lead role as ‘Shella’.
Nomzo Bassey: Battleground remains one of the most popular Africa Magic series of the last 20 years. One of the stars who hugged the limelight from the series is Nomzo. His role as Doctor Emeka earned him popularity. According to him, he became a popular face in markets and malls across the country. “Africa Magic made me a star,” Bassey said.
Chisom Agoawuike: This fashion model and ex-beauty queen rose to prominence for her role as ‘Halita’ in the widely followed Africa Magic series, The Rishantes. Chisom landed the role after an audition in Abuja, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Be part of Africa Magic’s elaborate celebration by staying connected to your DStv or GOtv. Download the My DStv or MyGOtv app or dial *288# to subscribe, renew, or upgrade your subscription.
Entertainment
6 Must-Watch Mysteries & True Crime Drama to Binge on Showmax this month

Not everyone enjoys romantic movies. Some prefer mysteries, shocking scandals, and real-life crime stories that keep them on edge. If you’re looking for intense investigations, high-stakes deception, and compelling drama, these must-watch shows on Showmax deliver.
Mr. Robot S1-4 | Now Streaming

The battle isn’t always fought in the streets; sometimes, it’s online. Winner of two Golden Globes and three Emmys, Mr. Robot follows Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek), a cybersecurity expert with crippling anxiety who gets pulled into an underground hacker collective led by the enigmatic Mr. Robot (Christian Slater). But the deeper he goes, the blurrier the lines between reality and illusion become.
Hailed as one of the best TV series of the decade, Mr. Robot keeps you questioning everything you think you know.
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6HGuJC–rk
The Ringleader The Case of the Bling Ring | First on Showmax | Stream from Wednesday, 19 March

The Case of the Bling Ring. They weren’t just fans; they wanted to live like their idols. This real-life documentary tells the shocking story of the Hollywood teenagers who robbed A-list celebrities, including Paris Hilton, Orlando Bloom, and Lindsay Lohan, stealing millions in designer goods. Featuring exclusive interviews and never-before-seen footage, this deep dive into the infamous Bling Ring scandal explores how obsession with fame led to one of the most bizarre crime sprees in Hollywood history.
Directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Erin Lee Carr (Britney vs Spears), this HBO documentary has an 83% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLSBJLnTOTM
The Famous Five | Binge from Friday, 21 March

For decades, The Famous Five has been the ultimate adventure series for young detectives in the making. Now, the classic Enid Blyton stories get a fresh, modern twist, following Julian, Dick, Anne, George, and Timmy the dog as they stumble into dangerous secrets, hidden treasures, and criminal plots.
Packed with nostalgia, action, and smart storytelling, this new adaptation captures the heart of the beloved series while introducing it to a new generation.
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0pB65MSkWI
Brilliant Minds | Binge from Monday, 24 March

Not all doctors heal with medicine. In Brilliant Minds, we step inside the world of a neurologist unlike any other, one who can literally feel his patients’ emotions. Starring Hedda Stiernstedt and Charlie Gustafsson, this gripping medical drama combines groundbreaking science with intense personal battles, showing that sometimes, the mind holds more mysteries than we realise.
The critically acclaimed series holds a 94% overall critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has been recognised for its fresh take on medical drama. Vox included it in its roundup of “21 TV Shows That Explained the 2010s,” calling it “one of the most prescient shows to emerge.”
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0Vqeikrij4
The Righteous Gemstones S4 | First on Showmax | Mondays from 24 March

Faith, family, and fraud, it’s all part of the business when you’re running a megachurch. Created by Danny McBride, The Righteous Gemstones follows a family of televangelists whose extravagant lifestyles are funded by their devoted congregation. But as scandals unfold, secrets spill, and their empire teeters on collapse, the Gemstones must fight to keep their kingdom intact.
With multiple Emmy nominations and a cast that includes John Goodman, Adam Devine, and Edi Patterson, this dark comedy delivers both laughs and shocking revelations.
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnRa29-wjaM
Gangs of London S3 | First on Showmax | Binge from Tuesday, 25 March

The Emmy-nominated and BAFTA-winning series Gangs of London returns for its third season as chaos erupts in London after a spiked shipment of cocaine kills hundreds.
Returning cast includes Critics Choice Super nominee Sopẹ́ Dìrísù, BAFTA nominees Joe Cole and Lucian Msamati, and Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones’ Catelyn Stark). Joining them this season are Irish Film and Television Award winner Richard Dormer (Blue Lights, Game of Thrones) and Critics Choice Super nominees Andrew Koji (Warrior) and T’Nia Miller (The Fall of the House of Usher).
Holding an 86% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8/10 score on IMDb, Gangs of London has been praised for its gripping storytelling and intense action sequences. NME describes it as “Game of Thrones but without the dragons.
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l2iYDb59Jc
Whether it’s daring adventures, digital warfare, or medical breakthroughs, Showmax has something for every mystery and true crime fan.
Now is the perfect time to start streaming with the Shikini Offer—get Showmax Mobile for just ₦1,000 instead of ₦1,600 or the multiple-device plan for ₦2,000 instead of ₦3,500. Visit www.showmax.com/deals to sign up and start watching today.
Entertainment
GOtv Boxing Night 33 Holds 26 April

The 33rd edition of Africa’s premier boxing show, GOtv Boxing Night, will hold at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
This was announced in a statement on Wednesday by the organisers, Flykite Productions.
The event will feature household names on the boxing landscape like Sikiru “Omo Iya Eleja” Shogbesan, Nigeria’s first graduate boxer; Williams “Kaki” Amosu, Sodiq Adeleke, Sadiq Oyakojo, Lateef “Latest” Azeez and female boxing sensation, Ayisat Oriyomi.
The statement quoted Bamidele Johnson, Flykite Productions Chief Operating Officer, saying that arrangements are still being made to add more boxers to the bout line-up.
He noted that the boxers selected are some of the best in their weight divisions and are ready to give a good account of themselves on the event day.“Many of the boxers here are high on the local and continental rankings. They are young, hungry for glory, and have the talent to achieve their goals.
We are going to have really cracking fights that will delight the fans,” Johnson stated.The boxers signed their respective contracts on Wednesday at a brief but classy ceremony at Flykite Productions’ office in Lagos.
Entertainment
GOtv Step Up: More Channels, Bigger Entertainment

Since January, GOtv has been talking about the Step Up offer, but let’s be honest, most people just hear “Upgrade and get more channels” and keep it moving. Sounds nice, but what does it actually mean?
Here’s what you might not know. When you step up, you don’t just get extra channels, you also stand a chance to get Showmax for free. Yes, free. No extra cost, no hidden charges, just you, your screen, and an all-access pass to even more entertainment. But we’ll get to that in a second.
Let’s talk about Step Up first. You pay for one package, and for a limited time, GOtv bumps you up to a higher one. No extra charge, just an instant upgrade to more of the good things, like better movies, bigger football matches, and shows that make screen time actually worth it. It’s like booking an economy flight and somehow landing in business class.
And it’s not just any random channels. We’re talking Africa Magic Showcase and ROK for the Nollywood lovers, BET and MTV Base for music and pop culture lovers, and of course, SuperSport Football and SuperSport LaLiga for the die-hard football fans who don’t play about their games. Basically, the kind of lineup that makes you wonder how you ever survived without it.
Now, about standing a chance to get Showmax for free. If you’re lucky enough, stepping up could also give you access to some of the most talked-about shows right now, such as Gangs of London, It Ends With Us, Abigail, and many more.
So yes, Step Up isn’t just about “more channels.” It’s about getting the kind of entertainment that makes you forget what time it is. And if you’re lucky? You won’t just be watching on GOtv, you’ll have Showmax too. All it takes is a quick upgrade.
Simply download the MyGOtv app or dial *288# to subscribe, reconnect, or Step Up your package. And if you don’t want to miss a moment, the GOtv Stream App lets you catch your favourite shows anytime, anywhere.
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