MultiChoice Nigeria says its operations have expanded beyond entertainment into talent development, content production, technology and infrastructure, strengthening its role in Nigeria’s creative economy.
Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria, Kemi Omotosho, said the company had evolved over more than three decades from a pay-TV provider into a major participant in an ecosystem involving producers, actors, production crews, dealers, installers and small businesses.
“When people turn on DStv or GOtv, they see the finished product. What they don’t always see is the entire Nigerian ecosystem behind that screen,” Omotosho said.
“We are not just distributing content; we are investing in the people, businesses and infrastructure that help Nigeria’s creative economy grow.”
She spoke against the backdrop of MultiChoice Nigeria’s integration into CANAL+, the France-based global media and entertainment group operating across 70 countries, in September 2025.
According to Omotosho, the new ownership structure provides the Nigerian operation with access to greater technology, content, expertise and international scale while allowing it to maintain a strong local focus.
“I would describe MultiChoice Nigeria as a deeply Nigerian business with the strength of a global group behind it,” she said.
She explained that products, content and commercial strategies continue to be shaped by the realities of the Nigerian market, with the local operation retaining significant flexibility over pricing, distribution, content and customer experience.
“Nigeria is not a market where you can simply take something that works elsewhere and assume it will work here,” Omotosho said.
She cited Big Brother Naija and the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards as examples of platforms through which Nigerian and African stories, culture and talent reach audiences across the continent.
The MultiChoice Talent Factory, she added, is also helping to develop young filmmakers and production professionals by equipping them with skills to build sustainable careers and businesses.
Omotosho described local investment as “fundamental” to the company’s future in Nigeria, saying the ambition was not only to create content Nigerians would be proud of but also to give Nigerian stories wider international exposure.
“Nigeria has the talent to be a global creative powerhouse, and we want MultiChoice to play an important role in making that happen,” she said.
She also linked the company’s anti-piracy efforts to the survival of the wider creative industry, noting that illegal distribution affects producers, actors and other professionals whose livelihoods depend on content retaining commercial value.
According to her, MultiChoice is working with the Nigerian Copyright Commission and the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy to combat piracy and raise public awareness about its wider economic consequences.
Omotosho acknowledged that the company faces increasing competition in Nigeria but said its long-standing presence, established brands, local content, distribution network and relationships with creatives and business partners remained important strengths.
She stressed, however, that longevity alone could not guarantee customer loyalty.
“We still have to earn our customers every day by delivering great content, value, affordability and a strong customer experience,” she said.
Omotosho said MultiChoice’s next phase would combine the scale and resources of its global ownership with the local knowledge and creative investment that have shaped its Nigerian operations.
The company, she added, intends to remain deeply connected to Nigeria while using the reach of CANAL+ to take Nigerian talent, stories and creative products to wider audiences.
