Frank Edoho revealed that his initial salary on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire was ₦100,000

Frank Edoho, the long-time host of Nigeria’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, has revealed details about his humble beginnings on the iconic game show, sharing how he maintained the appearance of affluence despite earning a modest salary in his early years.

In a video shared on his Instagram page on Tuesday, Edoho recalled how he worked hard to project a polished and successful image while hosting the show. “For the first two years on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, my monthly salary was just a hundred and something thousand naira. Yet, I had to dress in suits and look as if I owned all the money,” he recounted.

Edoho noted that his financial situation changed dramatically after telecommunications giant MTN became the show’s sponsor. Seizing the opportunity, he approached the production company’s owner to renegotiate his contract. When MTN came on board, I decided to quote a figure to my boss. He asked, ‘How much do you want to be paid?

Although Edoho did not disclose the amount he requested, he said it was substantial and that he was surprised when his boss agreed without hesitation, even offering him three months’ back pay. Edoho promptly accepted the offer.

Beyond the salary increase, Edoho said the new deal brought even more opportunities. The rewards started coming in. I was hosting events everywhere, traveling, and involved in all sorts of activities, he said.

He also reflected on the personal challenges he faced before achieving success. My life had its ups and downs, but as they say, it’s just a microcosm of the challenges people face in business. You have to learn to compartmentalize, push aside the troubles, and stay focused on your goals, he advised.

Edoho’s revelations have sparked widespread discussion online, with many Nigerians reflecting on the value of earning over ₦100,000 a month in the mid-2000s—when that amount equated to about $700 to $800 at an exchange rate of ₦130 to $1 and had much greater purchasing power than today, given the naira’s devaluation and rising inflation.

Many have praised Edoho’s ability to fake it till you make it and his negotiation tactics. Having hosted the Nigerian edition of the global franchise for over 13 years, Edoho remains one of the country’s most respected television personalities.