Kemi Omotosho, recently announced as MultiChoice Nigeria’s CEO, takes over the country’s most visible media business, one that is watched closely by consumers, regulators and competitors alike, writes…When MultiChoice Nigeria announced Kemi Omotosho as its new Chief Executive Officer last week Tuesday, it marked the close of one era and the beginning of another. She succeeds John Ugbe, whose tenure helped shape the company into the most visible player in the Nigerian media space. Omotosho now takes responsibility for steering that business forward, becoming the first woman to lead MultiChoice Nigeria in the process.Her appointment places her at the helm of one of the MultiChoice Group’s largest and most closely followed operations. MultiChoice Nigeria sits at the centre of pay television and digital media conversations in the country, watched closely by subscribers, regulators, competitors, and the creative industry it supports. Leading it is as much about managing expectations as it is about running a business. Much of Omotosho’s career has unfolded inside that kind of spotlight. Before this role, she served as Regional Director for Southern Africa at MultiChoice Group, overseeing a portfolio across seven countries. The job came with full responsibility for profit and loss and constant engagement with issues that define many African markets. These include currency volatility, inflation, regulation and changing habits of the consumer. It was a role that demanded attention to detail and discipline rather visibility.That regional assignment was built on years spent close to the commercial core of the business. Omotosho’s experience cuts across various sectors and disciplines. She previously led customer value management across more than 50 African markets for the Group and held senior roles in Nigeria. Earlier in her career, she worked at Airtel Nigeria, moving through a variety of functions. Across these roles runs a consistent focus on how revenue is generated, how customers behave, and where value is either strengthened or quietly lost.Her education and executive training reflect that practical orientation. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Ilorin and later completed an Executive MBA at Lagos Business School. Over time, she has attended executive programmes at INSEAD, IESE Business School, Duke Corporate Education, and Harvard Business School, alongside leadership programmes within MultiChoice and Naspers. The emphasis throughout has been on governance, performance and decision making at scale.People who have worked with her often describe a leadership style that is direct and structured. Priorities are clearly set. Functions are expected to work together rather than in isolation. Decisions are taken with an eye on execution, not just analysis. The different departments and functional roles within the business are treated as parts of the same operating system, not competitors.That approach will be central to her work in Nigeria. In recent years, MultiChoice Nigeria has faced pressures familiar across the industry. Consumer purchasing power has weakened. Foreign exchange losses have reduced the real value of revenues. Operating costs have soared. Competition from global streaming platforms has intensified. Subscriber growth has slowed.As a result, attention has moved to ensuring value for money, keeping the customers at the heart of key decision making, and growing digital platforms without losing the core audience that still sustains the business. Omotosho arrives with recent experience in navigating exactly these issues, having overseen digital transitions and operational changes across multiple African markets. She steps into the role on a foundation built by Ugbe, whose years in leadership reshaped MultiChoice Nigeria in lasting ways. On his watch, GOtv was introduced, widening access to pay television. The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) created a major platform for recognising African film and television. Investment in local content increased, operations expanded nationwide and the creative sector benefited from sustained funding and visibility.Under Ugbe, the company grew to 11 branches across the country, expanded GOtv coverage to 52 cities, produced thousands of hours of local content and invested heavily in creative development. These achievements left behind a strong structure and, certainly, high expectations.Through a structured transition strategy, what Omotosho inherits is a large and complex organisation with established platforms, strong public visibility and significant influence. Her responsibility spans strategy, profit management, cash control, governance, regulatory relationships and performance across DStv, GOtv and digital services. The emphasis is likely to be on discipline, affordability, and customer retention rather than rapid expansion.Ugbe leaves behind a business defined by reach and presence. Omotosho steps in shaped by experience in markets where stability, careful choices and follow through mattered as much as ambition. The base is solid. The path ahead requires balance. How she manages that balance will shape the next phase of MultiChoice Nigeria and define how the business evolves in the years ahead.

The preliminary stage of InterswitchSPAK 7.0 Science Competition has been nothing short of electrifying. Through nine episodes, 81 of Nigeria’s brightest students drawn from Niger, Kaduna, Abuja, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos and other states, demonstrated not just their knowledge, but also remarkable creativity, resilience, and sheer determination. Together, they turned the stage into a national celebration of brainpower, courage, and the boundless possibilities of STEM. Before the competition began, employee volunteers from Interswitch Group facilitated a mentorship session behind the scenes, to help participants relax and prepare for the challenge ahead. It was a moment that set the tone for what would become an unforgettable series of contests. Now the contest’s kicked off and the tension is palpable. At the foundation level, contestants have just 15 seconds to answer each of the 16 objective questions, with only the top five moving on to the advanced level. The next stage of the preliminaries, the advanced round, raises the stakes with 15 challenging questions across Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and General Studies. Every second matters, and the tension has kept both contestants and viewers on edge. So far, the episodes have been a rollercoaster of high-stakes drama and heartwarming victories. In one memorable exchange, the host, Hero Daniels, challenged a student to defend an answer he had provided, also drawing in the student’s teacher to share his input. The answer was eventually validated, and the hall erupted in relief and applause, celebrating the student’s confidence and a powerful display of confidence and teamwork. Episode eight was even more intriguing. Saint Riman, from Adedokun International Schools, Ogun State, aced all foundation-level questions but missed only one in the advanced round, earning him widespread admiration across audiences who witnessed the brilliant performance. Equally inspiring was the journey of Saint’s teammate, Noheemat Adejumo in episode two. Sparked by the “SPAK Hero of the Week,” segment, which profiled STEM professionals at the start of each episode, she drew motivation from the story of Dr. Adeola Olubamiji who inspired her determination to pursue Biomedical Engineering. She went on to make history as the first female semi-finalist of ISPAK 7.0. Her triumph emphasized the impact of representation and the power of role models. Beyond the spotlight, the human side of the competition shone through. Students who qualified for the semi-finals celebrated with their peers, teachers, and families present. While those whose journey ended at the preliminaries found comfort and encouragement from their teachers who turned each experience into a lesson in growth and learning. These behind-the-scenes moments, filled with camaraderie, encouragement, reflection, and shared pride revealed the heart of the competition that goes beyond the stage. As the curtain falls on the preliminaries, one truth is undeniable, the stage given viewers a glimpse of the intellectual prowess and resilience of Nigeria’s future leaders in science and technology. With 81 extraordinary students narrowing down to a smaller group of 27, anticipation for the semi-finals is sky-high. The journey continues, and if the preliminaries are anything to go by, the semi-finals promise even more thrilling displays of brilliance, grit, and inspiration. For these young superstars, the spotlight is only getting brighter. To watch the semi-finals, tune into DSTV Africa Magic Family Channel 154, by 6pm or AIT Network by 5:30pm on Sundays or catch the repeat broadcast on DSTV Africa Magic Family Channel 154 by 5 pm on Tuesdays. Also follow @InterswitchSPAK to watch on YouTube, Facebook, and X every Sunday at 6pm and on LinkedIn @InterswitchGroup at 5.30pm.

December in Lagos is synonymous with music, memories, and moments that stay long after the night ends. This year, one of the city’s most anticipated nostalgic experiences returns, Rewind: A Flashback Concert 2025, set to take place on December 30 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, promising an unforgettable evening of classic hits, vibrant energy, and cultural reconnection.

For the second consecutive year, Interswitch Group is proud to sponsor Rewind Concert, reaffirming its commitment to experiences that bring people together through shared history, emotion, and celebration. Following a successful first-time sponsorship in 2024, Interswitch returns in 2025 as a Timeless Sponsor, the highest sponsorship category, a fitting alignment for a brand built on enduring relevance and everyday connection.

Rewind Concert has steadily carved a niche as more than a music event. Anchored by legendary DJ Jimmy Jatt, who serves as both host and DJ, the concert is a carefully curated journey into Nigeria’s musical past. His throwback sets spans Afrobeat, hip hop, reggae, and R&B, creating an immersive soundtrack that bridges generations.

The 2025 edition promises performances from major Nigerian artists whose music defined past decades, including D’banj, Sir Shina Peters, 9ice, Bigiano, Cynthia Morgan, and Dr Sid. From evergreen anthems to unforgettable live renditions, Rewind invites audiences to relive moments that define youth, friendships, and cultural identity.

Last year’s edition demonstrated the emotional power of nostalgia. Talk about packed halls, energetic sing-alongs, and an audience deeply immersed in every performance. That response affirmed what Rewind represents, music as memory, and memory as a powerful connector.

Interswitch’s Timeless sponsorship category reflects a shared philosophy with Rewind Concert, which is longevity, trust, and cultural relevance. As a brand that has remained present through Nigeria’s digital and lifestyle evolution, Interswitch understands the importance of platforms that honour the past while staying firmly rooted in the present.

This year, Interswitch, Verve, and Quickteller will all be on ground, engaging audiences through a dedicated booth designed for interaction, networking, and customer-facing moments. From conversations to immersive experiences, the brands will be part of the evening’s energy, not just as sponsors, but as participants in a collective celebration.

Rewind Concert offers a unique opportunity to connect with an audience that values authenticity, shared experiences, and meaningful engagement. The event attracts a diverse mix of professionals, creatives, media personalities, and culture lovers, people who understand that some moments never lose their value.

For Interswitch, supporting Rewind is not just about visibility, it is about showing up in moments that matter. Moments where people laugh, sing, remember, and reconnect. Moments that feel familiar yet fresh.

As Lagos counts down to the final days of the year, Rewind Concert 2025 promises a night filled with nostalgia, joy, and timeless music, a fitting close to the festive season. With Interswitch, Verve, and Quickteller on ground, the stage is set for an evening that celebrates where we have been, where we are going, and the memories that continue to shape us.

December 30. Eko Hotel. Let the music rewind, and let the memories live on with Interswitch!