Story perspectives

Lagos Game Show Masoyinbo Bans English, Demands Yoruba

9/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

Masoyinbo, a Lagos game show, bans English and requires contestants to speak Yoruba.
Host Olalekan Fabilola launched Masoyinbo in 2024, saying it reflects a cultural resurgence.
Contestants can win prizes worth thousands of dollars, attracting diaspora participants.
Shungu Chidovi left banking in January to run ZimbOriginal, teaching Shona online for $50 a month.
UNESCO reports only 2% of African languages have meaningful online presence, limiting AI training data.

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Story summary

Masoyinbo, a Lagos game show, bans English and requires contestants to speak Yoruba.
Host Olalekan Fabilola launched Masoyinbo in 2024, saying it reflects a cultural resurgence.
Contestants can win prizes worth thousands of dollars, attracting diaspora participants.
Shungu Chidovi left banking in January to run ZimbOriginal, teaching Shona online for $50 a month.
UNESCO reports only 2% of African languages have meaningful online presence, limiting AI training data.