Veteran television host Frank Edoho has revealed that his salary during the early years of hosting Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? was far lower than many Nigerians imagined at the time.
Speaking during a seminar in a video shared on Instagram, Edoho reflected on how he maintained an image of confidence, class, and success on television despite earning what he described as a modest salary in the beginning.
“On Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, the first two years of my salary per month was a hundred and something thousand naira,” he said.
“But I had to wear a suit as if I owned all the money.”
According to Edoho, his financial situation improved significantly after MTN Nigeria became a sponsor of the programme.
He explained that he eventually decided to negotiate directly with the owner of the production company regarding his compensation.
“When MTN came on, I just said, let me just give a figure to my boss,” he recounted.
Although he did not publicly disclose the exact amount he requested, Edoho admitted he was surprised when the proposal was accepted immediately.
“Once I mentioned the figure, okay, we’ll give you three months’ back pay,” he said.
The veteran broadcaster noted that the improved deal opened doors to bigger opportunities beyond the show itself.
“The rewards came in. I was hosting events all over the place. I was flying and doing all kinds of things,” he added.
Edoho also spoke about the personal struggles he experienced before achieving greater success, encouraging people to stay focused despite challenges.
“Learn how to compartmentalise and just push it aside, concentrate your eyes on the prize,” he advised.
His comments quickly generated reactions online, especially from Nigerians comparing the value of ₦100,000 in the early 2000s to today’s economic realities.
At the time the show launched, the amount reportedly had much stronger purchasing power and converted to several hundred dollars at the prevailing exchange rate.
Many social media users also praised Edoho’s negotiation confidence and his ability to maintain professionalism and composure despite financial limitations during the early stages of his career.
Frank Edoho hosted the Nigerian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? for more than 13 years and remains one of the country’s most recognised and respected television presenters.
