Veteran Nigerian television host Frank Edoho has reflected on the early days of hosting Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, revealing that he earned just slightly above N100,000 monthly during the first two years of the programme despite projecting an image of wealth and success on television.
Edoho made the revelation in a video shared on his Instagram page on Tuesday, where he spoke candidly about the realities behind his glamorous television career and the sacrifices he made while building his reputation in the entertainment industry.
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According to him, although viewers often assumed he was extremely wealthy because of his appearance and composure on screen, the reality at the time was very different.
“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.
The media personality explained that despite the modest salary, he still had to maintain a polished public image that matched the prestige of the globally recognised game show franchise.
At the time, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? was one of Nigeria’s most popular television programmes, attracting millions of viewers weekly and turning Frank Edoho into a household name across the country.
He noted, however, that his financial situation improved significantly after telecommunications giant MTN Nigeria became the sponsor of the programme.
Recounting the turning point, Frank Edoho said he boldly approached the owner of the production company with a salary proposal during negotiations involving the new sponsorship arrangement.
“When MTN came on, I just said, let me just give a figure to my boss,” he recalled.
According to him, the production executive asked how much he expected to be paid, and after he mentioned the amount, the request was approved almost immediately.
“He said, ‘How much are you going to be paying?’ Once I mentioned the figure, okay, we’ll give you three months’ back pay,” Edoho recounted.
The television host said he wasted no time in accepting the offer, describing it as a breakthrough in his career.
Following the salary increase, Edoho revealed that more opportunities began to emerge for him within the entertainment and corporate event space.
“The rewards came in. I was hosting events all over the place. I was flying and doing all kinds of things,” he said.
Beyond the financial gains, Frank Edoho also reflected on the emotional and personal struggles he faced while trying to maintain professionalism and focus throughout his career journey.
According to him, life during that period was not without challenges, but he learned how to separate personal difficulties from professional responsibilities.
“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,” he explained.
He advised young professionals and aspiring entertainers to remain focused on their goals regardless of temporary setbacks or hardships.
“Learn how to compartmentalise and just push it aside, concentrate your eyes on the prize and you will get there,” he added.
Frank Edoho remains one of Nigeria’s most respected television personalities, best known for hosting the Nigerian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? for more than 13 years.
His charisma, diction, and commanding screen presence helped make the show one of the most successful television productions in Nigeria during its peak years.
Over time, Frank Edoho became a symbol of excellence in Nigerian broadcasting and has continued to maintain relevance through media appearances, public speaking engagements, and social commentary.
His latest revelation has sparked conversations online, with many Nigerians expressing surprise at the relatively low salary he earned during the early years of such a high-profile programme.
Others praised his honesty and resilience, noting that his story highlights the importance of perseverance, professionalism, and long-term vision in achieving success.
