‘We Are Deeply Nigerian, With the Strength of a Global Group’ — MultiChoice CEO
MultiChoice Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Kemi Omotosho, has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Nigeria, saying its integration into global media and entertainment group CANAL+ will not diminish its local identity or its focus on Nigerian consumers.
Omotosho said MultiChoice Nigeria now has the opportunity to combine its deep understanding of the Nigerian market with the technology, content, expertise and international scale available through its global parent company.
According to the CEO, the company’s Nigerian operations remain firmly focused on its customers, employees, business partners and the country’s creative industry, despite the change in ownership.
‘Global Scale, Local Understanding’
MultiChoice became part of CANAL+, a France-based global media and entertainment group, in September 2025. CANAL+ operates across about 70 countries.
Omotosho said the ownership structure should not be interpreted as a loss of local control.
She explained that MultiChoice Nigeria continues to make important decisions concerning its Nigerian operations based on local market realities.
These include decisions relating to pricing, content, channel packaging, distribution and customer experience.
“We think globally, but we act locally,” she said, describing the approach as a combination of international resources and Nigerian market knowledge.
The CEO said this model allows the Nigerian business to benefit from ideas and technology developed elsewhere while adapting them to the needs of Nigerian consumers.
MultiChoice Says Nigeria Remains a Strategic Market
Omotosho described Nigeria as one of MultiChoice’s critical markets and said the company remained committed to its long-term future in the country.
Her comments come as the Nigerian pay-TV industry faces significant changes driven by inflation, changing consumer behaviour, competition from streaming services and increasing demand for more flexible entertainment options.
The company has responded by expanding digital offerings while continuing to invest in traditional television services.
Omotosho said the business was focused on delivering quality content while making its products more accessible and flexible for consumers.
She noted that DStv and GOtv customers can now access services through different platforms, including streaming.
DStv and GOtv Adapting to Changing Consumer Needs
According to Omotosho, MultiChoice has reduced the entry price for DStv and GOtv to ₦15,000, with monthly packages starting from ₦6,000.
The company has also introduced DStv Stream, allowing customers to access DStv content without necessarily requiring a satellite dish or installation.
The move reflects the changing way Nigerians consume entertainment.
While traditional television remains important, streaming and digital platforms are becoming increasingly significant, particularly among consumers who want to watch content on mobile phones, computers and other connected devices.
Omotosho said MultiChoice was therefore not choosing between traditional television and streaming but investing in both.
Nigerian Content Remains Central
The CEO also highlighted the company’s continued investment in Nigerian stories and talent.
She said MultiChoice’s contribution to the country extends beyond television subscriptions, noting that the company supports an ecosystem involving producers, actors, creatives, dealers, installers, content creators and other businesses.
The company has also invested in programmes aimed at developing young Nigerian talent.
One example is the MultiChoice Talent Factory, which provides practical training in film and television production and supports the development of future professionals in the creative industry.
Omotosho said the objective was not simply to create employment within MultiChoice but to help develop people who could build careers, establish businesses and create opportunities for others.
Nigerian Stories Reaching Global Audiences
The CEO said Nigerian content has increasingly gained audiences beyond the country.
She cited the growth of Nigerian stories, talent, music, fashion and entertainment as evidence of the country’s growing influence in the global creative economy.
She also pointed to Big Brother Naija as an example of how a global format can be adapted into a distinctly Nigerian entertainment product.
According to her, the programme’s personalities, language, music, fashion and conversations reflect Nigerian culture.
This combination of international formats and local creativity, she said, demonstrates how global resources can be adapted to meet local expectations.
Supporting Jobs and Businesses
MultiChoice says its Nigerian operations have created an ecosystem supporting thousands of jobs and livelihoods.
These include direct employees as well as production crews, dealers, installers, producers, content creators and small businesses.
The company also invests in Nigeria’s creative industry, sports, technology and infrastructure.
Omotosho said the company’s goal is to create economic opportunities that extend beyond its own workforce.
The approach, she explained, is based on creating sustainable opportunities that can continue to generate value for individuals and businesses.
Local Leadership Remains Important
The CEO also addressed concerns that major decisions affecting Nigerian customers could increasingly be made outside the country following the CANAL+ transaction.
She said MultiChoice Nigeria has significant autonomy to operate according to the realities of the Nigerian market.
Nigeria’s economic environment, consumer behaviour and entertainment preferences require decisions that are informed by local experience, she explained.
At the same time, being part of a global group provides access to international expertise and resources.
Omotosho said successful ideas developed in Nigeria could also potentially be shared with other markets within the wider group.
Partnerships Key to Future Growth
The MultiChoice CEO also emphasised the importance of partnerships with Nigerian producers, broadcasters, government agencies, regulators and other stakeholders.
She said the company had learned over more than three decades in Nigeria that sustainable growth could not be achieved in isolation.
Collaboration with local producers and creatives is particularly important to the development of Nigerian content.
The company also works with industry partners and government institutions on issues affecting the media and entertainment sector.
Looking Ahead
Omotosho said MultiChoice remained optimistic about Nigeria’s future and intended to continue investing in the country.
The company plans to strengthen its traditional television services while accelerating its investment in streaming, technology and digital experiences.
For consumers, this could mean more options in how they access entertainment and potentially greater integration between traditional television and digital services.
For Nigeria’s creative industry, continued investment by a major media company could also provide opportunities for producers, actors, filmmakers, technicians and other professionals.
‘Deeply Invested in Nigeria’
Omotosho’s message is that the company’s global ownership does not mean that its Nigerian identity has disappeared.
Instead, she believes the combination of local expertise and international resources can provide what she described as the best of both worlds.
MultiChoice Nigeria can draw on the scale, technology and experience of CANAL+ while continuing to make decisions around its Nigerian business with local consumers and market conditions in mind.
After more than three decades of operations in Nigeria, the company says it remains committed to local content, talent development and the broader creative economy.
As the media industry continues to move towards digital platforms and streaming, MultiChoice Nigeria’s challenge will be to maintain its relevance in a rapidly changing market while delivering value to consumers facing economic pressures.
For Omotosho, however, the company’s future is closely tied to Nigeria.
“We are deeply invested in this country. We have invested in Nigeria, grown with Nigeria and remain committed to its future,” she said.
*This report is based on statements attributed to MultiChoice Nigeria CEO Kemi Omotosho and publicly available reports on the company’s operations and ownership structure. Product prices, services and business strategies may change, and customers should confirm current details directly with MultiChoice.*
