Hit 95.9 FM, the leading radio station in Cross River State and organisers of the Calabar Entertainment Conference & Festival (CECF), is pleased to announce the renewal of its partnership with MultiChoice Nigeria for the 10th consecutive year, marking a decade of sustained support for one of Nigeria’s leading platforms for the creative and entertainment industries.
The Calabar Entertainment Conference & Festival has evolved into a major gathering for stakeholders across Nigeria’s entertainment and creative industries, It morphed into a two day festival since 2024 and this year’s edition will hold on Friday & Saturday 23rd and 24th of October 2026 respectively.
The Festival is the fun hub of the event, bringing together young people and audiences from all walks of life for an exciting celebration of live music, food, drinks, games and shared experiences. With a vibrant atmosphere and a wide range of engaging activities, the festival offers attendees an opportunity to connect, unwind and enjoy the very best of entertainment, culture and fun.
Speaking on the renewed partnership, the Executive Producer of the Calabar Entertainment Conference & Festival and CEO of Hit FM, Patrick Ugbe, described MultiChoice’s decade long support as a significant part of the festival’s journey.
“Ten years of partnership is more than sponsorship; it represents shared belief, consistency and commitment to the growth of Nigeria’s creative industry. MultiChoice has supported the Calabar Entertainment Conference & Festival from the beginning, and to have them renew their sponsorship for the tenth year is something we deeply value.”
“Over the years, CECF has grown into a platform where conversations have become collaborations, talents connect with opportunities, and stakeholders come together to shape the future of our industry. We are proud to continue that journey with MultiChoice.”
For decades, MultiChoice has played a significant role in the development of Africa’s entertainment industry through investment in local content, talent, production, storytelling and platforms that connect African creativity with audiences across the continent.
The company’s continued partnership with HIT FM CECF reflects this commitment to strengthening the creative ecosystem and creating opportunities for the people and businesses driving Africa’s entertainment economy.
Commenting on the sponsorship renewal, Tope Oshunkeye, SVP, Communications, MultiChoice Nigeria, said:
“We are always happy to associate with the Calabar Entertainment Conference & Festival. We see it not just as an opportunity to deepen our regional brand story and conversations, but also an opportunity to encourage the growth of the creative sector across the country”
“Our continued partnership with the event reflects MultiChoice’s commitment to creating platforms that empower creative talent and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s entertainment ecosystem”
The two-day Calabar Entertainment Conference & Festival will begin with keynote addresses, panel discussions, masterclasses and networking sessions on the first day, providing a platform for learning, conversations and industry connections.
The second day will shift into a fun festival experience, bringing together young people and entertainment lovers for an exciting celebration of live music, food, drinks, games and fun.
Through its continued sponsorship, MultiChoice Nigeria will once again contribute to an environment where industry professionals, creators and emerging talents can connect, exchange knowledge and develop relationships capable of strengthening Nigeria’s creative economy.
As CECF celebrates its 10th edition, the festival continues to position Calabar as important destinations for creative exchange, entertainment business and cultural tourism, bringing together some of the brightest minds shaping the future of the industry.
ABOUT MULTICHOICE GROUP, a CANAL+ Company
MultiChoice Group (MCG), a subsidiary of CANAL+ group, is a leading provider of entertainment and related consumer services. The company has an expanding ecosystem, underpinned by scalable technologies, and a track record now spanning almost 40 years.
MCG provides video entertainment products and services through its linear and streaming platforms to millions of households across 50 countries on the African continent and continues to grow by producing and acquiring the best local, sport and international content and offering tiered subscription packages and aggregated streaming services to its customer base.
MCG’s superior technology capabilities enable it to continue innovating around distribution, digital and payment solutions, and content security to offer the best customer experience across the continent. Reaching up to 100 million individuals daily, the MultiChoice Group is using its scale and distribution to expand its platform to include sports betting and interactive entertainment, fin-tech services, household services (focused on internet connectivity and emergency response services) and ed-tech.
Irdeto, MCG’s technology business, provides platform cybersecurity services which protect over 6 billion devices and applications globally for some of the world’s best media and technology brands, as well as clients in the connected industries sector.
ABOUT THE CALABAR ENTERTAINMENT CONFERENCE & FESTIVAL
The Calabar Entertainment Conference & Festival (CECF) is a flagship youth-focused engagement platform, organized by Hit 95.9 FM, Calabar, that brings together creatives, entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers to discuss, strategize and unlock the potential of the Nigerian creative economy.
Since inception, CECF has served as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration and empowerment in the entertainment and creative industries.
