Frank Edoho
Frank Edoho, the longtime host of Nigeria’s “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” has candidly revealed that his starting salary on the show was far more modest than the wealthy image he projected on screen.
Speaking at a seminar, in a video shared on his Instagram page on Tuesday, Edoho disclosed that for the first two years of hosting the show, he earned just over a hundred thousand naira per month, even as he was required to appear on air dressed in suits that conveyed an impression of affluence and success.
He noted that his earnings improved considerably after MTN joined as a sponsor of the show, at which point he decided to negotiate his pay directly with the owner of the production company.
Without revealing the specific figure he requested, Edoho said he proposed an amount he himself did not fully expect to be approved.
To his surprise, his employer agreed without hesitation and even offered to pay three months’ worth of back pay at the new rate, an offer Edoho said he accepted immediately.
Beyond the pay rise, Edoho noted that his improved standing on the show opened doors to a wave of other opportunities, including event hosting engagements and extensive travel, marking a significant turning point in his career.
He also reflected on the personal struggles he endured on his path to success, acknowledging that his journey was not without its difficulties. He advised that navigating such challenges requires the ability to compartmentalize personal issues and remain focused on one’s goals.
The revelations have sparked widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians drawing comparisons between the value of his early salary in the mid-2000s and today’s economic realities.
At the time the show launched, over ₦100,000 per month translated to roughly $700 to $800, given an exchange rate of approximately ₦130 to the dollar, and carried considerably stronger purchasing power than it would today amid the naira’s significant devaluation and rising inflation.
Many commenters also praised Edoho’s “fake it till you make it” approach and his confidence in negotiating a better deal for himself.
Edoho hosted the Nigerian edition of the globally recognized franchise for over 13 years and continues to be regarded as one of Nigeria’s most respected television personalities.
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