MultiChoice Nigeria, a key subsidiary of the Canal+ Group, has announced a major leadership transition at the helm of its operations. John Ugbe is retiring as Chief Executive Officer after nearly 15 years in the role, making way for Kemi Omotosho to take over as the new CEO from January 2026.
A Structured Succession for Stability
The company confirmed the change in a formal statement, highlighting that the move followed a structured succession process designed to ensure continuity and operational stability in its Nigerian business. Ugbe's departure marks the end of a significant era during which he oversaw a period of major transformation for MultiChoice Nigeria.
Under his leadership, the company navigated substantial shifts in the industry and market landscape while strengthening its core operational and long-term strategic foundations.
Meet the New CEO: Kemi Omotosho
Incoming CEO Kemi Omotosho is not a newcomer to the MultiChoice ecosystem. She brings to the position over 20 years of extensive leadership experience spanning the media, telecommunications, and digital sectors across Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
Her career within the MultiChoice Group includes several senior roles. She previously served as the Executive Head of Customer Value Management for MultiChoice Nigeria and later as the Group Executive Head of Customer Value Management for Rest of Africa, providing functional leadership across more than 50 markets.
Most recently, Omotosho held the position of Regional Director for Southern Africa, where she had full profit and loss responsibility for operations spread across seven countries.
Strategic Vision for the Future
MultiChoice stated that Omotosho's proven track record in leading complex organisations, driving disciplined growth, and building high-performing teams ideally positions her to guide the company's strategy, operations, and stakeholder engagements in Nigeria.
Commenting on her appointment, Omotosho expressed honour at being entrusted with leading MultiChoice Nigeria at a critical time. She described Nigeria as one of the Group's most strategic markets.
"I look forward to working with our teams and partners to strengthen relationships with our consumers, promote local storytelling and the creative economy, and build a future-ready organisation that delivers sustainable value," she stated.
Ongoing Initiatives and Market Context
This leadership transition underscores MultiChoice's commitment to long-term planning. The announcement comes as the company continues other strategic initiatives, such as the recent opening of applications for the 2026 edition of its MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Film and Television Training Programme.
The nine-month programme, delivered through academies in Nigeria, Kenya, and Zambia, has trained 296 filmmakers and produced over 42 films since its inception in 2018.
Furthermore, the company's new owner, Canal+, has been focused on making premium entertainment more accessible. This follows recent confrimations of price reductions for DStv and GOtv decoders for new customers, the second such price adjustment within a short period.
