Top 10 Most Popular TV Hosts in Nigeria

Nigeria is blessed with some of the best TV hosts in the world. Some of these personalities are not just among the most popular TV hosts in Nigeria, but they have also made a mark outside the shores of the African country.

While some of them have other careers and business ventures, their excellence as TV hosts has earned them global recognition. In this article, we will highlight the top 10 most popular TV hosts in Nigeria and what makes them stand out.

10. Bolanle Olukanni

Bolanle Olukanni is well known for hosting the programme, “Moments with Mo” on DStv and Project Fame West Africa. She co-hosted “Moments with Mo” as her first TV job. The programme was aired on EbonyLife TV and Olukanni hosted alongside the TV’s CEO, Mo Abudu.

Bolanle is the co-founder of Sage & Walls, a multimedia production company founded in 2015. She is equally the producer and host of “On the Carpet with Bolinto”. Asides being a great host and one of the most popular in Nigeria, Bolanle, who had most of her education overseas has equally written, directed, and produced a documentary titled “Gods Wives”. She hosts “The Juice” on NdaniTV.

9. Denrele Edun

Denrele Edun is one of the most popular TV hosts in Nigeria whose career has earned him global recognition. Known for his cross-dressing fashion style and personality, Denrele started his television career at the tender age of 11 when he acted as a presenter/producer on Kiddivision 101; NTA Network’s programme.

During the course of his career, Denrele Edun has interviewed the likes of Beyonce, Akon, Tyler Perry, Lil’ Kim, Snoop Dogg, Cuba Gooding, Amerie, and Lloyd. He has also won multiple awards including The Best TV Personality at the NEAs in New York (2011), The Future Award for Best Producer (2007), Dynamix Award for Best Youth TV Personality (2006, 2007, 2008), and several other awards.

8. Toke Makinwa

In addition to being a Television host, Toke Makinwa is a radio personality, vlogger, entrepreneur, actress and author. She is known to be the host of The Morning Drive on Rhythm 93.7 FM as well as her YouTube vlog series, “Toke Moments”. Rated one of the top 5 African female show hosts, Makinwa has hosted a variety of shows ranging from her originals to features.

Among the shows she has hosted are: the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) beauty pageant (2012), Flytime TV’s 3 Live Chicks, co-hosted with Tosyn Bucknor and Oreka Godis, 2013 Future and City People Awards, 2014 Headies Awards, and Gulder Ultimate Search Season 12 among others.

Toke Makinwa has won several awards including the Nigeria Broadcasters Award for Outstanding Female Presenter of the Year.

7. Osas Ighodaro

Osas Ighodaro is one of the most popular TV hosts in Nigeria who also doubles as an actress and wears both hats well. She is a Nigerian-American actress, having been born in the city of New York even though she is of Nigerian descent.

Ighodaro co-hosted the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards in 2014 and the Maltina Dance All reality TV show. She won Miss Black USA in 2010 and established a foundation to fight against malaria. For her prowess in acting, the screen beauty has won several awards including the Best TV Actress of the Year at the 2014 ELOY Awards, and Best Actress in a Drama at the 2022 AMVCA for her role in “Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story”.

6. Uti Nwachukwu

Uti Nwachukwu is a stylish presenter best known for co-hosting the TV show, Jara. Nwachukwu is famous for hosting some of Nigeria’s biggest events like the red carpet of the biggest award show in Africa, The Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA). He has hosted the show for seven years and still counting.

Jara is a show hosted by the TV star which lasted for 11 seasons on Africa Magic. He also hosted the red carpet of the 8th edition of AMVCA, the reunion of Showmax’s hit reality TV show “The RealHousewives of Lagos” as well as the launching event of Tecno Camon 19. He has the following awards to his name: the 2012 Mode Men Award for “TV personality of the Year”, and the Nigerian Broadcaster award for “African broadcaster (2014 & 2016)”, among others.

5. IK

Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa (Simply called IK) is a radio and TV personality who also gained prominence with his career at Rhythm FM. Previously known as Wildchild, is a presenter on MNet’s Studio 53 and is also best known as the presenter of Big Brother Africa.

In 2012, he hosted the Lagos countdown show with co-hosts, Ariyike Akinbobola, and Quest. The Lagos countdown show is similar to the ones in Times Square (New York) Beijing, Shanghai, and Dubai and is the first of its kind in Lagos. IK has also hosted quite a number of shows in Nigeria like

4. Nancy Isime

Nancy Isime is one of the Nigerian TV personalities that has slowly but steadily made a name for herself in the media industry. Asides being a presenter, Isime is also an actress and model. She became recently well known for hosting the 2021 edition of The Voice Nigeria, however, she is also known for presenting the gossip show, The Squeeze and the backstage segments of MTN Project Fame Season 7.

In 2016, she replaced Toke Makinwa as the host of the popular HipTV show, Trending. Nancy Isime also co-hosted The Headies Award with Reminisce in 2019, the same year she launched her own TV show, “The Nancy Isime Show”. In 2020, she co-hosted The Headies Award with popular Nigerian comedian, Bovi.

3. Frank Edoho

Frank Edoho is definitely one of the most popular TV hosts in Nigeria, thanks to the TV show, “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”. Edoho hosted the popular game show for 13 years (2004 to 2017) before resigning on September 2 2017. He announced his departure from the show via his Twitter handle, after according to him, he declined the offer given to him.

In February 2022 however, the Kano born presenter returned to the show to the delight of fans across Nigeria. Frank Edoho is also not without awards to his name. He has been awarded with the Youth Ambassador Award by Fly Networks, Best TV presenter of the year 2006 by City People Magazine Award, and Male TV presenter of the year 2008 by Nigeria Kids Choice Award.

2. Stephanie Coker

Stephanie Coker is an on-air personality, TV presenter, and actress who has graced our screens for many years now. Coker studied Media and Communications at Brunel University where she interned at MTV, Channel Four and Media Moguls PR.

She won the MTV Freederm Presenter Competition in 2010 which saw her star in a TV advert. She was equally commissioned by OHTV in the UK for her documentary on young Nigerians, titled “Christmas in Lagos”. Although Coker is one of the most popular TV hosts in Nigeria right now, she did not begin her hosting career in Nigeria.

In Nigeria, she has anchored several TV shows including MTV Base Africa’s countdown show “Street Request”, and The Voice Nigeria (2016).

1. Ebuka

Ebuka is the most popular TV host in Nigeria. He is popularly known for hosting the reality TV show, Big Brother Naija.

Chukwuebuka Obi-Uchendu, simply known as Ebuka is a Nigerian Lawyer who is best known for his career as a media personality. In addition to Big Brother Naija, Ebuka is also known for hosting the long-running Rubbin’ Minds talk show on Channels TV; co-hosting The Spot, a TV show on DSTV, along with Lamide Akintobi and Zainab Balogun.

Ebuka also hosted “Men’s Corner”, Nigeria’s first all-male TV talk show. For his outstanding achievements as a TV presenter, the media star received several award nominations and won a Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Award for “Outstanding TV Presenter of the Year” in 2015. In 2021, he was honored as the Most Popular Media Personality (Male) by Net Honors.

Top 10 Most Popular TV Hosts in the World (Summary)

Here’s a list of the top 10 most popular TV hosts in Nigeria as highlighted in this article.

1. Ebuka
2. Stephanie Coker
3. Frank Edoho
4. Nancy Isime
5. IK
6. Uti Nwachukwu
7. Osas Ighodaro
8. Toke Makinwa
9. Denrele Edun
10. Bolanle Olukanni

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SOURCES: WIKIPEDIA, NG.OPERA.NEWS, LEVOGUE.LEAGERSHIP.NG