Beyond Nollywood: A New Era for African Cinema (feat. Fizzy) | TDA - E812

Today’s show opened with some laughs and studio banter before we got into the heavier discussions. The team reflected on culture and spirituality - from stories of “juju” protection and near-death escapes, to whether these beliefs are luck, faith, or simply human choices at play.

The spotlight then shifted to Dr. Umar Johnson, with updates on his FDMG school, his fundraising, and the latest controversies about whether he is genuinely building or simply performing. The conversation sparked debate about leadership, accountability, and how the community should judge progress.

From there, the panel dived into the ongoing violence in Nigeria. Listeners raised concerns that Christian persecution and mass killings are being minimised or ignored, despite thousands of deaths and destroyed churches. The discussion examined whether this is truly religious violence or a mix of ethnic conflict, financial exploitation, political instability, and Western corporate interests in Nigeria’s resources. Dr. Shola’s campaign video was dissected, highlighting contradictions, agendas, and the wider question of why African crises get sidelined compared to Palestine or Israel.

In headlines, we covered:

• The US government shutdown and its fallout for workers and services.

• Labour’s shifting tax position and the impact of frozen thresholds on Londoners.

• Undercover footage exposing racism and violence among Met Police officers.

• PPE MedPro losing a £122m court case over faulty COVID contracts.

• Keir Starmer refusing to call Donald Trump’s “Sharia law” comments racist.

• Updates in the Lucy Letby case, with new questions raised about the prosecution’s evidence.

The show closed with a focus on Black History Month, welcoming filmmaker Fizzy to discuss the upcoming film Three Cold Dishes, executive produced by Burna Boy. The film explores trafficking, survival, and revenge across West Africa, signalling a new chapter for Nollywood as it steps onto the global stage.