Veteran Nigerian television host Frank Edoho has opened up about his starting wage while anchoring Nigeria’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

According to the renowned TV host, during the first two years of the show, he made just over N100,000 a month.

In a video he shared on his Instagram page on Tuesday, Edoho claimed that in spite of the comparatively low salary, he was expected to present an opulent lifestyle and wear well-fitting clothes.

He added that his earnings increased significantly after MTN became the sponsor, recalling how he approached the production company’s owner directly with a proposed figure.

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“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.

“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?’

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

He further revealed that the improved salary opened doors to bigger opportunities, including hosting high-profile events nationwide and greater public visibility.

“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 discussed his personal struggles during that time, emphasizing the value of keeping his eyes on the prize, maintaining focus, and compartmentalizing issues.

“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 and you will get there.”

He hosted the Nigerian version of the global franchise for over 13 years and remains one of Nigeria’s most respected television personalities.