The long-time host of Nigeria’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Frank Edoho, has opened up about his modest starting salary on the popular TV show while still projecting an image of wealth and success on air.

Speaking at a seminar in a video posted on his Instagram page on Tuesday, Edoho recounted how he hosted the show while maintaining a polished and affluent image.

“On Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, the first two years of my salary per month was a hundred and something thousand naira. But I had to wear a suit as if I owned all the money,” he said.

He explained that his pay improved significantly after MTN came on board as a sponsor.

Edoho said he decided to negotiate directly with the production company’s owner.

“When MTN came on, I just said, let me just give a figure to my boss… He said, ‘How much are you going to be paying?’”

While he did not disclose the figure, Edoho said the pay was significant and that he did not expect his boss to agree, but the response was positive.

“Once I mentioned the figure, okay, we’ll give you three months’ back pay,” Edoho recounted, adding that he immediately accepted the deal.

Beyond the improved salary, Edoho noted that greater opportunities followed.

“The rewards came in. I was hosting events all over the place. I was flying and doing all kinds of things.”

He also reflected on the personal challenges he faced before success.

“Although my life had some ups and downs and everything, but like they said, you know, it’s just the same microcosm of you facing trouble in your business… learn how to compartmentalise and just push it aside, concentrate your eyes on the prize.”

The revelation has generated widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians contrasting the value of over ₦100,000 monthly in the mid-2000s with today’s economic realities marked by naira devaluation and high inflation.

When the show launched, ₦100,000 converted to roughly $700 to $800 at an exchange rate of about ₦130 to $1 and had stronger purchasing power.

Others praised Edoho’s “fake it till you make it” mindset and his negotiation skills.

Edoho hosted the Nigerian version of the global franchise for over 13 years and remains one of the country’s most respected television personalities. (PUNCH)

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