MultiChoice Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Local Content and Creative Economy

LAGOS, Nigeria: MultiChoice Nigeria has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the Nigerian market, with Chief Executive Officer Kemi Omotosho stressing that the company’s strategy will continue to focus on Nigerian consumers, local content, talent development and the growth of the country’s creative economy.

Omotosho said the company’s integration into global media and entertainment group CANAL+ has not changed the fundamentally local nature of its Nigerian operations.

According to her, MultiChoice Nigeria continues to make key business decisions based on the realities of the Nigerian market, including decisions relating to pricing, content, channel packaging and distribution for its DStv and GOtv platforms.

She explained that although MultiChoice has been part of CANAL+ since September 2025, the Nigerian business remains focused on its customers, employees, partners and the country’s creative industry.

“MultiChoice Nigeria operates as part of that global group, but our business here remains firmly focused on Nigeria, our customers, our people, our partners, and our local creative industry,” Omotosho said.

Global resources, local understanding

Omotosho said the relationship with CANAL+ provides MultiChoice Nigeria with access to international technology, expertise, ideas and experience, which can be adapted to meet the specific needs of Nigerian consumers.

She described the approach as one of thinking globally while acting locally.

The CEO added that the exchange would not be one-way, as successful ideas and innovations developed in Nigeria could also be shared with other markets within the wider CANAL+ group.

She said combining CANAL+’s international scale with MultiChoice Nigeria’s understanding of the local market would strengthen the company’s ability to respond to Nigeria’s economic challenges while continuing to invest in the country.

Continued investment in Nigerian talent

A major part of the company’s strategy, Omotosho said, will be continued investment in Nigerian content, infrastructure and talent.

MultiChoice has positioned its platforms as an important avenue for Nigerian filmmakers, actors, producers and other creative professionals to reach audiences both within Nigeria and across Africa.

The company says its investment in local storytelling is intended to support indigenous filmmakers and other parts of the creative value chain while creating opportunities for Nigerian talent.

Omotosho’s comments come as the Nigerian entertainment industry continues to experience rapid changes driven by streaming platforms, changing consumer behaviour, economic pressures and increased competition for audiences.

She said MultiChoice intends to remain responsive to those changes while maintaining a strong connection with Nigerian audiences.

Customer needs remain central

The CEO also emphasised the importance of understanding changing consumer needs as the company develops its future strategy.

With Nigerian households facing economic pressures and consumers having more entertainment choices than ever before, MultiChoice faces the challenge of delivering relevant content and services while remaining competitive.

Omotosho said the company’s local leadership team, with its understanding of the Nigerian market, remains responsible for important operational decisions affecting DStv and GOtv customers.

She further maintained that MultiChoice’s future in Nigeria would be built around its relationship with consumers and its continued contribution to the local creative ecosystem.

A new chapter under CANAL+

Omotosho became CEO of MultiChoice Nigeria in January 2026, succeeding John Ugbe, who retired after almost 15 years in the position. She became the first woman to lead MultiChoice Nigeria.

Her appointment came at an important period for the company, following the acquisition of MultiChoice by CANAL+ and amid significant changes in the African pay-TV and digital entertainment market.

Rather than signalling a withdrawal from Nigeria, Omotosho has presented the new ownership structure as an opportunity for the Nigerian business to combine international resources with local knowledge.

For MultiChoice Nigeria, the message from its new leadership is clear: the company intends to remain deeply invested in Nigeria, with local content, Nigerian talent, customers and the creative economy at the centre of its future strategy.