STANBIC IBTC Pension Managers, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has officially kicked off the third season of its acclaimed FUZE Talent Show with the unveiling of a panel of judges at an event at the Stanbic IBTC Towers in Lagos.
A key event highlight was the announcement of an unprecedented grand prize of N50 million for this year’s winners, setting new stakes for talent competitions in Nigeria. This substantial increase in prize money underscores Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers’ commitment to providing life-changing opportunities for young Nigerian talents.
The unveiling of the Judges set the stage for what promises to be the most exciting edition yet, of the youth-centric talent discovery platform.
In his address, Olumide Oyetan, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, revealed this year’s theme: ‘Light it up’, noting that the theme encapsulates the show’s mission to illuminate and celebrate Nigerian youths’ boundless creativity and talent.
Olumide emphasised the transformative power of the FUZE Talent Show, stating, “Each season, we’ve witnessed this platform’s ability to uncover, foster, and propel young talents into the spotlight; giving rise to new stars who now shine across the realms of music, dance, fashion, and technology”.
The star-studded judging panel for FUZE 3.0 was unveiled, featuring a diverse group of industry experts who will evaluate contestants in four categories. For the Fashion category , Funke Adepoju, a celebrated Nigerian fashion designer and the founder of Funke Adepoju Couture, will bring her expertise in blending traditional Nigerian aesthetics with contemporary styles.
Akinwande Akinsulire, the Director of Engineering at Co-Creation Hub (CcHub), will lead the technology category in identifying ideas in the tech space, while DonFlexx, a renowned entrepreneur, social media influencer, and digital marketing expert, will bring his dynamic energy to the dance category; looking for performers who can captivate audiences both on stage and online.
Korede Bello, an award-winning Nigerian singer and songwriter, will lend his musical prowess to identify the next big stars in the music category.
These industry heavyweights will provide fair ratings, valuable feedback, and guidance to participants throughout their FUZE journey.
The media parley also revealed an expanded regional selection of contestants for the competition, promising even more diverse opportunities for participants to showcase their skills.
Building on the success of previous seasons, which engaged over 10,000 participants and captured millions of viewers worldwide, FUZE 3.0 is poised to reach new heights in participation and global attention.
Olumide therefore called on Nigeria’s youths to seize this opportunity: “To our participants, let your creativity flow freely; your passion ignite the spark within; and your talents illuminate the stage. You are the heart and soul of the FUZE Talent Show, and we’re here to celebrate each of you.”
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