In the world of tech content creation, Fisayo Fosudo stands out as one of Nigeria’s most successful YouTubers. Known for his sleek visuals, in-depth smartphone reviews, and financial advice, Fisayo has carved a niche for himself in the competitive digital content space. In a recent interview, he shared insights into his journey, revealing that he has used over 150 phones, most of them sent to him for free by top brands eager to collaborate with him. Fisayo’s story is one of passion turned into profit. What started as a side hustle in 2016 has grown into a full-fledged business that attracts major sponsorships and generates multiple income streams. While many assume YouTube creators rely solely on AdSense revenue, Fisayo explained that his earnings go far beyond that. From brand partnerships and merchandise sales to consulting gigs, he has diversified his income sources to build a sustainable career. Fisayo’s journey began with a love for technology and storytelling. Armed with just a smartphone and basic editing tools, he started creating videos to share his thoughts on tech products. Over time, his dedication to producing high-quality content paid off. Today, his YouTube channel boasts over 700,000 subscribers, and his influence extends across social media platforms. But it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Fisayo acknowledged the challenges of building an audience in Nigeria’s content creation space, where entertainment-focused content often dominates. “It’s not easy to stand out when people are more drawn to comedy or skits,” he said. However, by staying consistent and understanding what his audience wanted, honest reviews and practical advice, he was able to grow his platform. Fisayo also shared tips for aspiring creators who want to make it big in the tech space. “You don’t need fancy cameras or expensive gear to start,” he said. “What matters most is your ability to connect with your audience and deliver value.” He emphasized the importance of building a personal brand that attracts opportunities beyond YouTube, such as consulting for companies or selling branded merchandise. For Fisayo, the key to success lies in adaptability. As the tech landscape evolves, so does his content strategy. Whether it’s reviewing the latest smartphones or exploring financial literacy topics through series like Finance Friday, he continues to find ways to stay relevant and provide value to his audience. Fisayo Fosudo’s story is proof that passion and persistence can lead to incredible opportunities. From being sent free phones by global brands to winning awards like Tech Creator of the Year at the TrendUpp Awards, he has become a role model for aspiring creators in Nigeria and beyond. His advice? Start where you are with what you have, and never stop learning. For anyone looking to break into tech content creation or any creative field, Fisayo’s journey is a reminder that success is achievable with hard work, creativity, and a clear vision.
Nollywood funding cutback as Netflix commits $1 billion to Mexican film industry
Netflix has announced a massive $1 billion investment in Mexico’s film and television industry over the next four years. This exciting development was revealed by Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos during a press conference alongside Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. This new commitment marks a significant shift for the streaming giant, especially after it recently scaled back its funding for original content in Nollywood, Nigeria’s thriving film industry. Over the past eight years, Netflix had invested around $23.6 million in Nollywood, but concerns have arisen among Nigerian filmmakers about the future of their projects with the platform. Despite the cutbacks, Netflix reassured that it is not completely stepping away from Nollywood. The company expressed its willingness to consider acquiring projects that meet its standards, although the reduction in original productions has left many industry stakeholders worried. Netflix’s deepening investment in Mexico isn’t entirely surprising. The company first launched its services there in 2011 and produced its first international series, Club de Cuervos, in 2015. Since then, Netflix has established its Latin American headquarters in Mexico City and expanded its local workforce from just 30 employees to nearly 400. Sarandos emphasized the special connection Netflix has with Mexico, noting that productions like Roma and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio have garnered critical acclaim and Oscar recognition. He stated, “This country holds a special place in Netflix’s history,” highlighting the success of various series that have resonated with audiences both locally and globally. As part of this investment, Netflix plans to inject $2 million into upgrading facilities at Churubusco Studios, a historic film studio in Mexico City. Additionally, the company is committed to nurturing emerging talent by allocating over $1 million to programs that support creatives behind the camera. While Netflix’s expansion into Mexico is promising for local creators and production companies, the decision to pull back on African content funding raises questions about the future of streaming investments on the continent
NRC offers full refund to passengers after Warri-Itakpe train glitch
Passengers on the Warri-Itakpe Train Service experienced an unexpected delay on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, after a technical glitch left them stranded overnight at the Ajaokuta Train Station. In response, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced a full refund of ticket fares to all affected passengers. The glitch, which occurred around 6:00 pm, disrupted the journey and forced passengers to wait until the following morning to continue their trip. In a statement shared on Thursday via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, NRC apologized for the inconvenience and reassured passengers of its commitment to providing safe and comfortable transportation. “We sincerely apologize for the unforeseen glitch and the inconvenience caused to our esteemed passengers. As a gesture of goodwill, we are offering a 100% refund of ticket fares to all affected passengers,” said Yakub Mahmood, NRC’s Deputy Director of Public Relations. According to the NRC website, ticket prices for the Warri-Itakpe route range from ₦9,500 for Business Class to ₦5,000 for Regular Class, depending on the travel option chosen. Passengers traveling shorter distances on routes like Warri-Uromi or Uromi-Itakpe pay between ₦2,500 and ₦5,200. The refund process is being handled by ticket concessionaires, who have been directed to inform passengers of how to claim their reimbursement. The NRC expressed gratitude to the Kogi State Government for providing security at the site of the incident, ensuring that passengers remained safe throughout the delay. The corporation also pledged to improve its systems to prevent similar issues in the future. This latest disruption follows a derailment on the same Warri-Itakpe corridor in July 2024 near Abraka in Delta State. While no lives were lost in that incident, it led to a temporary suspension of train services on the route. The Warri-Itakpe glitch is one of several operational challenges faced by Nigeria’s railway system in recent years. From derailments and locomotive failures to washouts and collisions, these incidents underscore the urgent need for improved safety measures and better maintenance of railway infrastructure across the country. Despite these challenges, NRC remains committed to enhancing its services and ensuring passenger safety. For now, affected travelers can look forward to receiving their refunds as a small consolation for their disrupted journey.
Streaming giants like Netflix face pressure to fund South Africa’s network upgrades
South Africa’s leading telecom operators, Vodacom and MTN, are calling on streaming giants like Netflix and YouTube to contribute financially toward the maintenance and expansion of the country’s network infrastructure. This push comes under the “Fair Share” model proposed by the Association for Communications and Technology (ACT), which seeks to address the growing strain on telecom networks caused by surging data demand. Streaming platforms, categorized as over-the-top (OTT) services, rely heavily on telecom infrastructure to deliver content but currently do not contribute directly to its upkeep. Vodacom and MTN argue that while OTT players invest in undersea cables, the burden of building and maintaining local networks falls disproportionately on telecom operators. With data traffic driven largely by streaming services, telcos face unsustainable costs despite significant investments in infrastructure. One of the key concerns raised is rural connectivity. Vodacom highlighted that network operators already shoulder social obligations, license fees, and taxes while working to close the digital divide. However, they believe OTT platforms should also fund network expansion in underserved areas since they are major drivers of internet traffic. The ACT is advocating for a regulatory framework to ensure fair contributions from OTT platforms. This would help balance costs between telecom operators and streaming services, fostering sustainable growth in the industry. The goal is to encourage further investment in network infrastructure, ultimately improving connectivity and service quality for users. While telcos argue that OTT platforms benefit disproportionately from their networks, streaming giants contend they already invest significantly in international bandwidth. The debate mirrors global discussions about how to equitably share the costs of internet infrastructure. If implemented, this policy could reshape South Africa’s digital ecosystem, ensuring both telcos and OTT platforms play a role in supporting the country’s connectivity needs.
Brigadier general expresses disappointment over Canadian visa denials as Nigeria’s Invictus Games team returns with medals.
The Nigerian Military delegation to the Invictus Games 2025 in Vancouver, Canada, has returned home, bringing with them six medals despite facing significant challenges. The team’s journey was marred by the Canadian High Commission’s denial of visas to seven athletes, hindering their participation. Despite the setback, the 14 athletes who were able to compete showcased remarkable resilience, securing gold, silver, and bronze medals and making Nigeria the only African nation to participate in the prestigious event for wounded military personnel. Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information (DDI), had previously stated his disappointment that seven athletes who had the potential to excel were denied visas. The remaining team members, including three officers, the team captain, and the physiotherapist, were also denied visas. Despite these challenges, the CDS, Gen. Christopher Musa, received the victorious Invictus team upon their return from Canada. Team Nigeria also won a silver medal in sitting volleyball after a narrow defeat to Brazil. Prince Harry, the Duke of Essex, watched the final game. He praised the competitors’ physical and mental fortitude and acknowledged the Games’ impact in uniting people from around the world. The Invictus Games concluded with a closing ceremony featuring performances by Barenaked Ladies, Jelly Roll, and The War and Treaty. In spite of it all, Nigeria’s Invictus Games team has proven that resilience and determination can overcome even the toughest obstacles. Their achievements serve as a reminder of their courage, not just on the battlefield but also on the global sports stage.
Nigerian neobank Kuda sees revenue surge while total losses climb to $40 million
Kuda Group, the parent company of Nigeria’s popular neobank Kuda Bank, saw its revenue jump to $32.1 million in 2023, a significant 49% increase from the $21.5 million it made in 2022. However, the company fell short of its ambitious $40 million revenue target and reported a $40 million loss, more than double the $18.5 million loss recorded the previous year. The growth came despite tough economic conditions, including a 40% devaluation of the naira against the dollar. Kuda’s user base grew by an impressive 47%, reaching 7.2 million users by the end of 2023, up from 4.9 million in 2022. Like many neobanks around the world, Kuda is still in its growth phase and is spending heavily to acquire customers and develop its products. The company’s losses were largely driven by rising operational costs, including $8 million spent on salaries for its 456 employees. This isn’t unusual for digital banks. For context, UK-based Monzo lost $143 million in 2020, while Revolut posted a $135 million loss in 2019 during their early growth stages. By the end of 2023, Kuda had $5 million in cash reserves, compared to annual operating costs of approximately $55 million. While auditors have confirmed that the bank has enough liquid assets to cover customer deposits (with a buffer of over $20 million), Kuda will need to raise additional capital to sustain its operations in the long term. The bank makes money through several streams: Interest on customer loans: $9 million, Returns from treasury investments and fixed deposits: $8 million, Fees from banking services: $4.5 million, Commissions from partners: $8.3 million. Kuda has taken a cautious approach to lending, issuing only $12.6 million in overdrafts in 2023 and reducing its credit loss allowance (funds set aside for potential loan defaults) from $12.4 million to $10.4 million. In 2023, Kuda began discussions to raise a $20 million bridge round at its 2021 Series B valuation of $500 million, but it hasn’t closed the deal yet. Since its launch in 2019, Kuda has raised over $81 million in funding. CEO Babs Ogundeyi has assured shareholders that efforts are underway to secure additional investment. Despite its challenges, Kuda’s valuation remains strong at $500 million, giving it a revenue multiple of 15x, which is higher than profitable neobanks like Nubank (8.4x) and Monzo (5.4x). However, when it comes to customer deposits, currently at $96 million, Kuda still lags far behind Nigeria’s traditional banks like Unity Bank ($1.35 billion) and Wema Bank ($1.9 billion). Kuda’s rapid growth shows that it remains a key player in Nigeria’s fintech space, but its mounting losses highlight the challenges of scaling a neobank in a tough economic environment. As it works to secure more funding and expand its services, all eyes will be on whether Kuda can balance growth with profitability in the years ahead