By Abdul Lauya
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Rotimi Richard Pedro as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), in what observers describe as one of the boldest reforms in the state broadcaster’s leadership in decades.
The Presidency’s statement on Wednesday also confirmed the appointment of Karimah Bello from Katsina as Executive Director of Marketing, Stella Din from Plateau as Executive Director of News, and Sophia Issa Mohammed from Adamawa as Managing Director of NTA Enterprises Limited, with all postings taking immediate effect.
Pedro, a Lagos-born lawyer and media entrepreneur, comes to the role with nearly 30 years of experience spanning broadcasting, sports rights, and marketing, across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
As founder of Optima Sports Management International (OSMI), he pioneered the distribution of major global sporting events, such as the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and FIFA World Cup to African audiences, solidifying his reputation as a trailblazer in sports content syndication.
He has also served as a consultant to FIFA, UEFA, Fremantle Media, and the African Union of Broadcasters, where he was instrumental in securing pan-African free-to-air rights for CAF competitions, a feat widely regarded as a landmark in continental media rights.
Tinubu’s decision to bring Pedro on board is seen as a strategic pivot away from bureaucratic inertia towards a commercially viable, content-driven model for NTA that aligns with global broadcast standards.
Analysts believe Pedro’s expertise in intellectual property law, investment management, and content monetization positions him to modernize NTA, boost revenue streams, and reposition it as a platform of national cohesion and cultural diplomacy.
But challenges loom large, as the broadcaster must contend with waning public trust, a younger audience shifting to digital platforms, and nimble private competitors that have eroded NTA’s dominance in the Nigerian media space.
Pedro’s appointment, therefore, is more than a routine leadership change, it is a test case for Tinubu’s media reform agenda and the political will to transform NTA into a credible, competitive, and globally relevant institution.
For advert placement and inquiries, publication of press releases, and news coverages, please call: Phone: 08052898434 Email: editor@eyereporters.com, click here to view the advert rates.
