Frank Edoho Reveals Why Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Disappeared From TVMolly n
By Emmanuel Daniji
Veteran media personality Frank Edoho has revealed the real reason the iconic television quiz show, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, disappeared from Nigerian television after over a decade on air, dismissing long-standing speculation that he was removed as the programme’s host.
Speaking during an interview on The KK Show, Edoho explained that the show’s temporary exit from television had nothing to do with its presenters but was instead caused by the withdrawal of its major sponsor following a substantial financial penalty imposed by the Federal Government.
According to him, the sponsor, which had supported the programme for about 10 years, informed the production team that it could no longer sustain the partnership after paying the huge fine.
“Our sponsor stayed with us for a decade. After the Federal Government fined them over a corporate matter, they told us they could no longer continue sponsoring the show,” Edoho said.
Although he declined to identify the company or disclose the details surrounding the government sanction, Edoho maintained that the loss of sponsorship ultimately forced the highly successful programme off the air.
The revelation puts to rest years of speculation surrounding the disappearance of one of Nigeria’s most popular television programmes, which entertained millions of viewers and rewarded contestants with life-changing cash prizes.
The celebrated broadcaster also addressed rumours that he was sacked as host when the programme eventually returned to television with a new sponsor.
He insisted that the reports were inaccurate, explaining that he was never dismissed from the show.
Instead, he admitted feeling disappointed by how events unfolded after years of dedicating himself to building the programme into one of Nigeria’s most successful television brands.
“I felt I was thrown under the bus after all the years I put into the show,” he said.
Edoho hosted Who Wants To Be A Millionaire from 2004 until his resignation in September 2017, becoming one of the most recognisable faces on Nigerian television during the programme’s original run.
Before his breakthrough on television, he spent four years working with Radio Nigeria, where he began his broadcasting career.
Reflecting on his journey, Edoho acknowledged that television gave him a level of visibility and public recognition that radio could not provide.
In 2022, he returned as host when Who Wants To Be A Millionaire made its comeback after a five-year hiatus with a new sponsor, a revamped format and an increased jackpot prize, bringing an end to speculation about his future with the programme.
His latest comments provide fresh insight into one of the biggest mysteries surrounding Nigerian television, confirming that financial challenges rather than internal disagreements were responsible for the programme’s temporary disappearance from viewers’ screens.
