John Momoh

Early Life and Background

John Momoh was born on July 1, 1957, in Auchi, a town situated in Edo State, Nigeria. While specific details about his early childhood and formative years are not extensively publicized, his origins in the culturally rich and diverse region of Edo State likely contributed to a broad understanding of Nigerian society and its various communities. His early life experiences, though kept private, are understood to have laid the fundamental groundwork for a distinguished career that has been consistently marked by an unwavering commitment to the principles of journalism and dedicated public service. It is reasonable to infer that his early exposure to diverse societal narratives and the intrinsic importance of effective communication may have significantly sparked his initial interest and passion for the media profession, guiding his future career path.

Education

Momoh's academic journey reflects a dedicated and comprehensive pursuit of knowledge across both mass communication and vital business management disciplines. This dual focus has equipped him with a holistic and robust skill set, which has proven essential for effectively leading and managing a major media enterprise in a dynamic environment. He commenced his higher education at the prestigious University of Lagos, where he successfully obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Mass Communication in 1979. Demonstrating a further commitment to academic excellence and the acquisition of specialized knowledge, he later pursued and successfully earned a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Mass Communication from the University of Jos in 1988.

Beyond his formal university degrees, Momoh astutely recognized the critical need for robust business acumen in order to successfully establish, manage, and sustain a modern and competitive media organization. To this end, he undertook several highly regarded executive management programmes at globally renowned institutions. These included the prestigious London Business School in the United Kingdom, the Insead Business School in France, and the Harvard Business School in the United States of America. These advanced executive studies provided him with invaluable strategic insights into leadership, corporate finance, marketing, and organizational development. Furthermore, to continually refine his practical broadcasting skills and ensure he remained abreast of international best practices and technological advancements, he attended specialized training at the International Broadcast Academy located in Frimley Park, United Kingdom. This extensive and diverse educational background ensured a well-rounded expertise spanning both the editorial and operational facets of the complex broadcasting industry.

Career

John Momoh's illustrious career in broadcasting commenced with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), which at the time was the sole government-owned national broadcaster in Nigeria. He dedicated an impressive period of approximately 15 years of diligent service to the NTA, beginning his tenure as a dedicated news reporter and steadily ascending through various significant editorial ranks within the organization. This extensive and formative period at a state-controlled media institution provided him with invaluable foundational experience in every aspect of news gathering, production, and dissemination within the unique Nigerian context. It also exposed him intimately to both the inherent challenges and the significant opportunities present within the nation's burgeoning media landscape, preparing him for future leadership roles.

His visionary entrepreneurial spirit and a profound desire to establish an independent, professional, and credible news outlet ultimately led him to establish Channels Television in 1993. This particular moment was a pivotal juncture for Nigerian media, as the country was actively transitioning towards greater liberalization and deregulation of its airwaves, allowing for private broadcasting. Channels Television officially commenced its full broadcasting operations in 1995. Under Momoh's astute and unwavering leadership as both Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Channels Television embarked on an ambitious mission to fundamentally redefine news broadcasting standards and practices in Nigeria. He meticulously envisioned and successfully built a platform that would steadfastly prioritize factual reporting, uphold stringent journalistic integrity, and consistently deliver balanced perspectives, thereby consciously moving away from the often state-influenced or partisan narratives that were prevalent in the media at that time.

Momoh spearheaded several groundbreaking initiatives at Channels Television that set new industry benchmarks. It notably became the first Nigerian broadcaster to stream its comprehensive content live on the internet, a pioneering move that significantly expanded its reach to a global audience, including the vast Nigerian diaspora. He also courageously pioneered 24-hour news programming in Nigeria, a bold and unprecedented move that immediately set a new, higher standard for continuous news delivery and responsiveness. His unwavering commitment to embracing technological advancement and ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality content meant that Channels Television consistently adopted cutting-edge broadcast technologies and meticulously maintained exceptionally high production standards. This unwavering dedication positioned Channels Television as an exceptionally credible, reliable, and indispensable source of information for millions of Nigerians and Africans residing both within the continent and across the diaspora. His influential leadership also extended to significant industry-wide roles, notably serving as a former Chairman of the esteemed Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), where he tirelessly advocated for media freedom, ethical practice, and the overall development of the broadcasting sector. Furthermore, he achieved significant international recognition by becoming the very first Nigerian member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the esteemed global organization responsible for presenting the prestigious Emmy Awards.

Major Achievements

John Momoh's profound contributions to the fields of journalism and broadcasting have been widely acknowledged and celebrated through a multitude of prestigious awards and significant recognitions. Under his exceptional stewardship, Channels Television has achieved unprecedented and sustained success, notably winning the highly coveted “Best Television Station of the Year” award an extraordinary thirteen times (as of current records) from the esteemed Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA). This consistent and unparalleled recognition is a powerful testament to the station's unwavering commitment to journalistic excellence, its comprehensive and unbiased coverage, and the deep public trust it has meticulously cultivated.

On a personal level, Momoh was deservedly conferred with the national honor of the Order of the Niger (OON) by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a prestigious and significant accolade that formally recognizes his profound and enduring contributions to national development through his pivotal role in the media. He has also been distinguished with the African Achievers Award for Media Excellence, an honor that underscores his significant impact and influence beyond Nigeria's national borders, across the African continent. In further recognition of his long-standing influence and trailblazing career, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Nigerian Media Merit Award, celebrating his enduring legacy in the industry. His remarkable foresight in establishing Channels Television as the first Nigerian broadcaster to stream live on the internet and his pioneering of 24-hour news programming cemented his legacy as a true innovator and visionary in the African media landscape. He has also been instrumental in fostering and nurturing a new generation of highly skilled media professionals, with Channels Television serving as a highly respected training ground and a beacon for countless aspiring journalists and broadcasters.

Personal Life

John Momoh is married to Olusola Momoh, who shares his deep dedication and commitment to the media industry. Olusola Momoh serves in a crucial capacity as the Vice Chairman of Channels Television, playing a vital role in the strategic management, operational oversight, and overall direction of the esteemed organization. Their partnership, both in their personal lives and professional endeavors, has been a significant cornerstone of Channels Television's sustained success, reflecting a shared vision, mutual support, and a collective commitment to journalistic excellence. Together, they have raised children, though specific details about their family life, including the number and names of their children, are consistently kept private, in line with a desire for personal privacy despite their prominent public roles. His stable and supportive family life is often cited as a crucial source of strength and stability, enabling him to navigate the demanding and often high-pressure nature of the media profession with unwavering focus.

Legacy

John Momoh's legacy is profoundly multifaceted and deeply embedded in the very fabric of Nigerian and, by extension, African media. He is widely regarded as an undisputed titan of independent broadcasting, having successfully built Channels Television from a nascent, ambitious idea into a globally recognized, respected, and influential news powerhouse. His unwavering commitment to ethical journalism, factual reporting, and the consistent delivery of balanced perspectives set an entirely new and elevated standard for media practice in a region often challenged by political interference, sensationalism, and a lack of editorial independence. He definitively demonstrated that a privately-owned news organization could not only thrive but also maintain its absolute independence and rigorous journalistic integrity, even in challenging environments.

His pioneering efforts in the early adoption of new technologies, such as continuous internet streaming and the implementation of 24-hour news cycles, not only profoundly modernized Nigerian broadcasting but also served as a powerful inspiration for other media houses to innovate and adapt. Beyond these significant technological advancements, Momoh's greatest and most enduring legacy might be the strong culture of excellence, professionalism, and ethical conduct he meticulously instilled within Channels Television. This culture has ensured that the organization serves as a highly regarded training ground and a guiding beacon for countless aspiring journalists and media professionals across the continent. He consistently championed the fundamental idea that independent media has an absolutely critical role to play in strengthening democratic institutions, promoting good governance, and holding power effectively accountable. Through his visionary work and steadfast dedication, John Momoh has undeniably left an indelible and transformative mark on the media landscape, ensuring that independent, high-quality journalism remains an indispensable and vital component of public discourse in Nigeria and far beyond its borders.