MultiChoice Nigeria has announced the appointment of Kemi Omotosho as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 2026, marking a significant leadership transition at one of Nigeria’s leading media and entertainment companies. She succeeds John Ugbe, who is set to retire after nearly 15 years at the helm of the organisation.
The company made the announcement in a statement issued on Tuesday, commending Ugbe for his long-standing service and leadership. According to MultiChoice Nigeria, Ugbe successfully guided the business through major shifts in the media and broadcast industry, helping to strengthen its operational foundation and long-term resilience during a period of rapid change.
During his tenure, Ugbe oversaw the company at a time when the pay television industry faced intense disruption from digital streaming platforms, evolving consumer preferences, and economic and regulatory pressures. Under his leadership, MultiChoice Nigeria expanded its local content portfolio, reinforced its market position, and maintained operational stability despite growing competition in the media landscape.
As Ugbe prepares to step down, the company has turned to Omotosho, a seasoned executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience across media, telecommunications, and digital businesses in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa. Her appointment reflects a commitment to continuity, while also positioning the company to navigate the next phase of growth and transformation.
Omotosho has built a substantial career within the broader MultiChoice organisation, holding several senior leadership roles over the years. She previously served as Executive Head of Customer Value Management in Nigeria, where she focused on strengthening customer engagement strategies and improving retention in one of the Group’s most competitive markets.
She later assumed the role of Group Executive Head of Customer Value Management for the Rest of Africa, overseeing customer-focused strategies across multiple countries. Most recently, Omotosho served as Regional Director for Southern Africa, managing a seven-country portfolio with full profit-and-loss responsibility. In that position, she led complex multi-market operations and worked closely with regional teams to deliver disciplined growth and operational efficiency.
MultiChoice Nigeria highlighted Omotosho’s strong track record in leading large and diverse organisations, driving sustainable performance, and building high-performing teams. The company noted that her deep institutional knowledge and broad regional experience place her in a strong position to lead the Nigerian business at a time when the media industry is undergoing rapid transformation.
In her new role, Omotosho will be responsible for overseeing the company’s overall strategy, daily operations, and engagement with key stakeholders. This includes managing relationships with regulators, content creators, advertisers, technology partners, and millions of subscribers across Nigeria. She is also expected to build on the foundations laid by her predecessor while steering the company toward long-term sustainability and innovation.
Commenting on her appointment, Omotosho described the opportunity as both a privilege and a responsibility. She noted that Nigeria remains one of the most strategic and dynamic markets for the Group, given its large population, vibrant creative sector, and rapidly evolving media consumption habits.
“It is a privilege to be entrusted with the leadership of MultiChoice Nigeria at such a pivotal time,” she said. “Nigeria remains one of the Group’s most strategic and dynamic markets. I look forward to working with our teams and partners to deepen our relationship with consumers, champion local storytelling and the creative economy, and build a future-ready organisation that delivers sustainable value.”
Her remarks underline a continued focus on local content development, which has been a core pillar of MultiChoice Nigeria’s strategy in recent years. Through its television platforms, the company has invested heavily in Nigerian films, series, sports, and reality programming, contributing to the growth of the local creative economy and providing opportunities for producers, writers, actors, and technical professionals.
Industry analysts note that Omotosho’s appointment comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s media and entertainment sector. Traditional pay television operators are facing mounting competition from global streaming services, alongside economic pressures that affect household spending. At the same time, advances in technology and the growing demand for on-demand and mobile-friendly content are reshaping audience behaviour.
MultiChoice Nigeria acknowledged these challenges, stating that the leadership transition was carefully planned to ensure continuity and stability. The company emphasised that Ugbe’s retirement and Omotosho’s appointment followed a structured and orderly succession process designed to maintain confidence among employees, partners, and subscribers.
Ugbe’s departure marks the end of an era for MultiChoice Nigeria. Over nearly 15 years as CEO, he became a prominent figure in the Nigerian media industry, known for his focus on operational discipline, local content expansion, and navigating regulatory and market complexities in Africa’s largest economy.
As Omotosho prepares to assume office in January 2026, expectations are high that she will build on this legacy while driving innovation and adaptation in a fast-changing environment. Her experience across multiple African markets is widely seen as an asset, particularly as the company seeks to balance local relevance with regional and global trends.
With the appointment of Kemi Omotosho, MultiChoice Nigeria is signalling both continuity and renewal. The company appears focused on strengthening its leadership position in Nigeria’s media and entertainment space while preparing for the future of content, technology, and consumer engagement in an increasingly competitive industry.
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