By Naomi Jeremiah
In a landmark move for the Africa’s media industry, Kemi Omotosho has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria, the country’s largest pay-TV operator. Her appointment comes at a critical juncture as the company navigates declining revenues, subscriber losses, and mounting competition in a rapidly evolving entertainment market.
Omotosho assumes the role from January 2026, succeeding John Ugbe, who is retiring after nearly 15 years of service across various leadership roles. The transition is part of a structured succession plan aimed at maintaining operational continuity while preparing the company for new market realities.
MultiChoice Nigeria faces one of its most difficult periods in recent history. Macroeconomic pressures including high inflation, reduced household spending, and currency volatility have contributed to an erosion of its subscriber base. Between April and September 2024 alone, the company lost 243,000 subscribers in Nigeria.
According to MultiChoice Group’s financial results for the year ending March 31, 2025, the operator’s active subscribers fell by 1.2 million to 14.5 million across its operations, with Nigeria accounting for 77 percent of losses in the Rest of Africa segment. Subscription revenue in Nigeria also dropped sharply, declining by 44 percent to $197.74 million from $355.93 million the previous year.
Omotosho brings over 20 years of experience in media, telecommunications, and digital businesses across Africa. She joined MultiChoice in 2014, holding senior positions including Executive Head of Customer Value Management and Regional Director for Southern Africa, where she oversaw operations and strategy across multiple countries.
“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,” Omotosho said.
As CEO, she will oversee MultiChoice Nigeria’s strategy, day-to-day operations, and stakeholder engagement, navigating a market marked by evolving consumer behaviour, streaming competition, regulatory scrutiny, and rising operating costs.
Omotosho inherits a brand with strong recognition and premium content but faces the urgent task of stabilizing its subscriber base, adapting offerings to consumer realities, and navigating a volatile economy. Her success will likely be measured by how quickly MultiChoice Nigeria can turn these challenges into sustainable growth while solidifying its leadership in Africa’s entertainment industry.
Her appointment marks another milestone for women in leadership, demonstrating the growing influence of female executives in Africa’s corporate landscape.
Culled from: Businessday.ng