By Temitope Ojo

Lawyer and entertainment investor, Toyin Subair, is planning on opening a chain of cinemas in a few months.

Reports say the project informed this online newspaper that the first cinema will open in Lagos.

Details about the cinema chains project have largely been kept secret.

Toyin Subair became a household name in the pay-tv industry in Nigeria, having launched the now-defunct HiTV in 2007.

The entrance of HiTV into the pay-tv industry gave South African based company DSTV, owned by Multichoice, its biggest competition to date.

It is expected that this cinema venture will challenge Silverbird, Genesis and Filmhouse whose managing director, Kene Mkapru, was recently sacked.

Toyin is currently the executive chairman of Digital Play Nigeria Limited and convener of the Creative Nigeria Summit.

A graduate of the Lagos State University, Subair was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1992 and for many years specialised in intellectual property law.

Subair is also an entrepreneur with extensive knowledge and experience in the Nigerian Media and Entertainment Sector.

Prior to founding Entertainment Highway Limited, Subair was the founder and served as Principal Partner of Abraham and Co., the leading intellectual property, media, and entertainment law firm in Nigeria. At Abraham and Co. He initiated several landmark intellectual property cases on behalf of various companies, including, Nigerian Television Authority, Multichoice, MNET, Disc Broadcasting, Turner Broadcasting Systems, Microsoft, HP etc. & various local film producers, musicians, and associations.

Subair has been responsible for various local media and entertainment business initiatives, including NuMetro Home Entertainment and Kola Music Publishing (the Nigerian sub-licensees of EMI and Universal). Mr. Subair obtained his LL.B. from Lagos State University in Nigeria and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1992.