MultiChoice Nigeria, a subsidiary of global pay television giant Canal+ Group, has announced a major leadership transition with the retirement of its long-serving Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe, and the appointment of Kemi Omotosho as his successor. Omotosho will assume office as Chief Executive Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, with effect from January 2026.
The announcement marks the end of an era for MultiChoice Nigeria, as Ugbe bows out after nearly fifteen years at the helm of the company. His tenure is widely regarded as one of the most transformative periods in the organisation’s history, defined by strategic expansion, operational consolidation and the navigation of profound changes in Nigeria’s media and entertainment landscape.
In a statement issued by the company, MultiChoice described Ugbe’s retirement as the culmination of a “distinguished and impactful career” during which he successfully steered the business through periods of technological disruption, intense competition, economic volatility and evolving consumer behaviour.
Ugbe joined MultiChoice Nigeria at a time when the pay television industry was undergoing significant change, driven by the digital transition, the rise of streaming platforms and increasing demand for local content. Under his leadership, the company expanded its content offerings, strengthened its local production ecosystem and invested heavily in technology and customer experience.
During his tenure, MultiChoice Nigeria consolidated its position as a dominant player in the country’s pay television market, while also broadening its footprint in digital services, including video-on-demand and mobile streaming platforms. The company said Ugbe’s leadership helped lay “strong operational foundations and long-term resilience” that will support the business in an increasingly competitive and fast-evolving media environment.
Ugbe is also credited with championing Nigerian storytelling and the creative economy, with MultiChoice significantly increasing its investment in local content production over the years. Through platforms such as Africa Magic, the company became a major driver of Nollywood’s growth, providing funding, training and distribution opportunities for thousands of creatives across the country.
Announcing the appointment of Omotosho as his successor, MultiChoice said the transition followed a structured and orderly succession process designed to ensure continuity, stability and sustained strategic focus.
Kemi Omotosho brings more than two decades of leadership experience spanning media, telecommunications and digital businesses across Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. She is a long-standing executive within the MultiChoice Group and is widely regarded as a seasoned leader with deep institutional knowledge and a strong track record of delivering results in complex and diverse markets.
Over the course of her career, Omotosho has held several senior roles within the MultiChoice Group. She previously served as Executive Head of Customer Value Management in Nigeria, where she played a key role in shaping customer engagement strategies, improving retention and driving value across the company’s subscriber base.
She later took on the role of Group Executive Head of Customer Value Management for Rest of Africa, providing functional leadership across more than 50 markets. In that capacity, she oversaw customer strategy and value optimisation across a wide range of operating environments, strengthening the Group’s customer-centric approach across the continent.
Most recently, Omotosho served as Regional Director for Southern Africa, where she held full profit-and-loss responsibility for a seven-country portfolio. In that role, she was responsible for overall business performance, strategy execution, operational efficiency and stakeholder management across multiple markets, further deepening her experience in leading large, geographically diverse organisations.
MultiChoice said Omotosho’s appointment reflects her proven ability to lead complex businesses, drive disciplined growth and build high-performing teams. As CEO, she will be responsible for setting and executing MultiChoice Nigeria’s strategy, overseeing operations and strengthening engagement with key stakeholders, including customers, regulators, content creators and commercial partners.
The company added that Omotosho would build on the foundations laid by Ugbe, while positioning the Nigerian business to respond effectively to emerging opportunities and challenges in the media and entertainment sector.
Speaking on her appointment, Omotosho described the role as both an honour and a responsibility, given the strategic importance of Nigeria within the MultiChoice Group.
“It is a privilege to be entrusted with the leadership of MultiChoice Nigeria at this important moment,” she said. “Nigeria remains one of the Group’s most strategic and dynamic markets.”
She said her focus would be on strengthening the company’s relationship with consumers, supporting the growth of the creative economy and ensuring that MultiChoice remains responsive to changing viewer preferences and technological trends.
“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.
Industry analysts say the leadership change comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s media sector, which is experiencing rapid transformation driven by digitalisation, shifting consumer habits and increased competition from global streaming platforms. They note that MultiChoice’s ability to adapt to these changes while maintaining its strong local content proposition will be key to its continued success in the Nigerian market.
Observers also point to Omotosho’s deep experience in customer value management and regional operations as a strategic advantage, particularly as the company seeks to balance affordability, innovation and content investment in a challenging economic environment.
While stepping down from his role, Ugbe is expected to be celebrated for his contributions to the company and the wider Nigerian creative industry. Over the years, he became one of the most recognisable corporate leaders in the country’s media space, often advocating for the importance of local content, intellectual property protection and sustainable industry growth.
In its statement, MultiChoice expressed appreciation for Ugbe’s service, describing his tenure as one marked by “visionary leadership, resilience and an unwavering commitment to excellence.”
The company also reiterated that the carefully planned transition would ensure business continuity, with no disruption to operations, strategy or stakeholder relationships.
As Omotosho prepares to assume office in January 2026, expectations are high that she will build on the legacy of her predecessor while charting a course that reflects the evolving realities of Nigeria’s media and entertainment industry. For MultiChoice Nigeria, the leadership change signals both continuity and renewal, as the company positions itself for its next phase of growth in one of Africa’s most influential markets.
