Veteran broadcaster Frank Edoho has finally broken his silence on the circumstances surrounding his departure from the iconic game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire (WWTBM), revealing that the programme was forced off air after its longtime sponsor withdrew support.
For years, fans speculated that Edoho was unceremoniously dropped from the show he had hosted for over a decade. However, in a recent interview on The KK Show, the media personality set the record straight, insisting he was not sacked.
Sponsor Withdrawal: The Real Reason
According to Edoho, the show's troubles began when its major sponsor, which had backed the programme for about 10 years, pulled out after being hit with a hefty regulatory penalty. The withdrawal left the production unable to continue, effectively ending the show.
“So Who Wants To Be A Millionaire sort of came to an end when our sponsor withdrew,” Edoho explained during the interview.
The revelation provides a new perspective on a development that disappointed many fans at the time, shifting the narrative away from Edoho's alleged dismissal.
Negotiation Breakdown
Edoho further disclosed that when discussions about reviving the show with new sponsors began, he sought a larger role. Having hosted WWTBM for 13 years, he believed he had become an integral part of the brand and requested a stake as an executive producer.
However, negotiations reportedly fell through, and his absence from the relaunch talks led to media reports that he had been removed. Edoho dismissed these claims as inaccurate and based on assumptions.
“A newspaper concluded that I had been dropped simply because I was absent from the relaunch discussions,” he said.
Return and Public Reaction
Years later, Edoho eventually returned to WWTBM when the show resumed with new sponsors and a bigger prize package. His return was met with enthusiasm from fans who had missed his presence on the show.
The interview sparked reactions on social media, with many users echoing Edoho's account. One user, @Lovia33, commented: “Nigeria is really doing more to spoil everyone's business and future at the same time.” Another, @asorock68, added: “MTN got hit with that massive fine by the FG over unregistered lines, and boom—the biggest show on Nigerian TV vanished overnight. A classic case of collateral damage.”
Context: The Sponsor's Regulatory Fine
The sponsor in question is widely believed to be MTN Nigeria, which faced a record $5.2 billion fine in 2015 from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for failing to disconnect unregistered SIM cards. The fine, later reduced to $3.9 billion, was a significant financial blow to the company.
This context underscores how regulatory actions can have ripple effects on the entertainment industry, affecting jobs and beloved programmes.
Edoho's candid account offers a fresh perspective on a long-debated topic, clarifying misconceptions and highlighting the behind-the-scenes challenges faced by television productions in Nigeria.
