Kemi Omotosho: The trained biochemist and ‘customer-first’ executive succeeding John Ugbe at MultiChoice Nigeria
If you are familiar with the executive moves happening in Nigeria’s media and entertainment landscape, then the name Kemi Omotosho should already be on your radar. But if it isn’t, prepare to get acquainted with the woman who has been appointed to step into the colossal shoes of CEO at MultiChoice Nigeria, effective January 2026.
Since October 2011, John Ugbe has held the reins, navigating MultiChoice through seismic industry shifts. Now, the baton passes to Kemi Omotosho from this month, a woman whose trajectory within the MultiChoice Group reads like a masterclass in climbing the corporate ladder with grace and grit.
Kemi Omotosho’s academic journey is as intriguing as her career path.
Who would have thought a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from the University of Ilorin (1998-2002) would lay the groundwork for a corporate mogul in the media industry? But that’s the beauty of a sharp mind – it adapts, it learns, it conquers.
Her professional career began at Computer Systems Associates before she joined Airtel Nigeria as a Customer Service Representative in 2003. She spent over a decade at the telecommunications company, rising to the role of Senior Manager, Postpaid Usage and Retention before her exit in 2013.
During this time, she further fortified her intellectual arsenal with a PGDM in Marketing, Finance, Law, and Project Management from the Nigerian Institute of Management, culminating in an Executive MBA from the prestigious Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University.
Omotosho’s journey within MultiChoice is where the legend truly begins. She joined in 2014 as the Head of Retention, a role where she wasn’t just keeping subscribers; she was actively growing the base and optimising customer value.
She was the architect behind strategies that improved reconnections, reduced churn, and encouraged customers to upgrade to higher-value DStv and GOtv products. Her pioneering work in customer segmentation, leveraging data analytics and propensity models, wasn’t just innovative; it was transformative, driving operational efficiency and boosting revenue.
Her impact was undeniable, leading to her promotion to Executive Head of Customer Value Management in 2018. But Kemi’s vision wasn’t confined to Nigeria. By June 2019, she had ascended to Group Executive Head of Customer Value Management for the Rest of Africa, a pan-African role based in Dubai.
Here, she provided functional leadership across over 50 markets, orchestrating strategic planning, managing budgets, and executing CVM initiatives across the continent. She was a key player in major campaigns, including the group’s popular ‘Step Up Campaign’ and the intricate CVM plans for the FIFA 2023 World Cup. If you saw MultiChoice making smart moves across Africa, chances are Kemi Omotosho’s fingerprints were all over it.
Until she was appointed CEO of Multichoice Nigeria, she had served as Regional Director for Southern Africa from October 2023, shouldering full profit and loss responsibility for a seven-country portfolio. This was her final proving ground, demonstrating her capacity to lead diverse markets and deliver tangible results at the highest level.
While John Ugbe’s 15 years at the helm leave big shoes to fill, Kemi Omotosho is a visionary known for her ability to lead complex organisations, drive disciplined growth, and cultivate high-performing teams.
Her appointment signals a clear intent from MultiChoice to deepen its engagement with Nigerian consumers, champion local storytelling, and build a future-ready organisation that continues to deliver immense value in one of its most strategic and dynamic markets.
