MultiChoice Nigeria CEO, Kemi Omotosho, has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Nigeria, stressing that its future strategy will remain focused on local content, talent development, customer needs and the growth of the country’s creative economy.
Speaking in an interview with Nnamdi Ojiego, Omotosho, the first Nigerian woman to lead MultiChoice Nigeria, said her leadership would focus on strengthening the business, building a strong team and keeping customers at the centre of the company’s decisions.
She said her experience leading businesses across different African markets had taught her the importance of understanding local customers and adapting strategies to suit specific markets.
MultiChoice’s Ownership and Nigerian Identity
Omotosho explained that MultiChoice Nigeria is part of CANAL+, a global media and entertainment group headquartered in France and operating across 70 countries.
According to her, the ownership structure gives MultiChoice Nigeria access to international expertise, technology, content and greater scale while allowing the Nigerian operation to maintain a strong local focus.
She stressed that MultiChoice Nigeria remains deeply rooted in the country after more than three decades of operations, with Nigerian employees, producers, creatives, partners and businesses playing key roles in its activities.
She cited platforms and events such as Big Brother Naija and the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) as examples of the company’s commitment to promoting Nigerian stories, talent and culture.
From Pay-TV Operator to Creative Economy Player
Omotosho said MultiChoice’s role in Nigeria has expanded significantly beyond providing pay-TV services through DStv and GOtv.
She explained that the company now invests across different parts of the media and creative value chain, including local content production, technology, infrastructure, distribution and skills development.
According to her, the ecosystem supports producers, actors, production crews, dealers, installers and several small businesses, thereby creating employment and supporting livelihoods.
She also highlighted the MultiChoice Talent Factory as one of the company’s initiatives aimed at developing young filmmakers and production professionals.
Local Content and Talent Development
The MultiChoice Nigeria CEO described local investment as fundamental to the company’s long-term strategy.
She said Nigeria possesses the creative talent needed to become a global creative powerhouse and that MultiChoice wants to help Nigerian filmmakers, actors and other creative professionals produce content capable of competing internationally.
Omotosho added that the company’s ambition is not only to create content that Nigerians enjoy locally but also to develop Nigerian stories that can travel across Africa and the rest of the world.
Local Decision-Making
Addressing concerns about how much independence MultiChoice Nigeria has under its global structure, Omotosho said the company has significant flexibility to respond to the realities of the Nigerian market.
She explained that decisions on products, pricing, distribution, content and customer experience are shaped by local market conditions while remaining within the broader strategy and standards of the global group.
She described the approach as one where the company “thinks globally” while acting locally.
Commitment to Nigeria
Omotosho rejected the characterisation of MultiChoice as simply a foreign company operating in Nigeria, pointing to its long-standing investments in the country.
She said the company employs Nigerians, works with local producers and creatives, partners with Nigerian businesses and invests in content, technology, talent and infrastructure.
According to her, MultiChoice’s success is closely linked to the success of the wider Nigerian creative and business ecosystem.
MultiChoice Intensifies Fight Against Piracy
The CEO also identified piracy as a major threat to the creative industry, noting that its impact extends beyond MultiChoice to producers, actors and other professionals whose livelihoods depend on the value of creative content.
She said the company is working with the Nigerian Copyright Commission and the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy to combat piracy and educate the public about its wider consequences.
Omotosho also described responsible corporate citizenship as part of MultiChoice’s business strategy, including meeting its obligations, investing in Nigeria and building partnerships that strengthen the industry.
Competition and the Future
On increasing competition in Nigeria’s entertainment market, Omotosho said competition was healthy because it encourages companies to innovate and ultimately benefits consumers.
She identified MultiChoice’s deep understanding of the Nigerian market, trusted brands, local content, distribution network and relationships with industry stakeholders as some of its major strengths.
However, she acknowledged that longevity alone was not enough, saying the company must continue to earn customers through quality content, value, affordability and strong customer service.
Looking ahead, Omotosho said she hopes MultiChoice will be remembered not only for entertaining Nigerians but also for helping to build an industry that creates jobs, develops world-class talent and takes Nigerian stories to audiences across Africa and the world.
