Beyond TV: How GOtv Is Investing in Nigeria’s Future

When most people think of GOtv, they think of affordable entertainment and local content. But behind the scenes, GOtv Nigeria is doing a lot more than broadcasting shows; it’s investing in people, communities, and the nation’s future. 

From empowering youth to supporting education, GOtv is rooted in real impact. Here’s a look at some of the ways this pay-TV brand is transforming lives beyond the screen.

Empowering Youth Through the Sabiman Scheme

Launched in 2016, the Sabiman Scheme is GOtv’s flagship youth empowerment programme designed to address unemployment while improving customer service delivery. Since its inception, the initiative has trained over 8,000 young Nigerians as Sabimen — skilled field agents who assist subscribers with service activation, technical troubleshooting, e-payment renewals, and general customer support.

To date, GOtv has invested N162 million into the programme, providing participants with essential tools to launch and sustain their micro-enterprises. Each trainee receives a POS machine preloaded with a N20,000 refundable startup fund, branded uniforms, marketing materials, and ongoing business support, enabling them to serve their communities while generating income.

But the impact goes beyond technical training. Sabimen also develop vital soft skills in communication, customer engagement, and problem-solving, making them more confident, employable, and entrepreneurial. It’s grassroots empowerment in action, one trainee, one community at a time.

Boosting Local Hustle with the Canvasser Scheme

GOtv also equips aspiring entrepreneurs with marketing skills through its Canvasser Scheme. Participants are trained to promote GOtv products and services in their communities, creating job opportunities while driving brand accessibility. This hands-on experience gives participants a solid foundation in sales, customer interaction, and field marketing skills they can use well beyond the scheme.

Championing Local Content and production.

GOtv’s commitment to Nigerian storytelling goes far beyond airtime. The brand continues to invest in locally produced content, creating jobs and opportunities for scriptwriters, producers, actors, and other creatives.

Thanks to this investment, we’ve seen the growth of language-specific channels like Africa Magic Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Urhobo alongside platforms for emerging local channels like Spice TV and WAP TV, just to name a few. This not only enriches the viewer’s experience but also keeps Nigerian stories alive and thriving.

Driving Socio-Economic Growth Through Infrastructure and Investment

GOtv’s impact on Nigeria goes far beyond television programming. Over the past decade, the company has made significant infrastructure and economic investments that have helped shape Nigeria’s digital broadcasting landscape and created ripple effects across multiple sectors.

Since entering the Nigerian market, GOtv has invested over $100 million in local infrastructure development. This includes the rollout of 73 transmitter sites between 2011 and 2015 alone, costing $95.5 million and enabling digital coverage for more than half of Nigeria’s population. These investments were vital to Nigeria’s digital switchover from analogue broadcasting, giving millions access to clearer signals and affordable pay-TV.

Beyond setup, GOtv has also committed heavily to maintenance and operational support. Between 2014 and 2018, over N8 billion was spent on maintaining this infrastructure, a clear testament to GOtv’s long-term commitment to staying locally grounded and operationally effective.

These strategic investments have spurred job creation across the country, from engineering to marketing and sales, empowered local vendors and SMEs tied to broadcast infrastructure and technical support and boosted consumer access to affordable entertainment, education, and local content.

By injecting this level of capital into Nigeria’s economy and supporting small business ecosystems, GOtv has become a key player not only in media but also in national development and inclusive economic growth.

Supporting Communities Where It Matters Most

GOtv doesn’t stop at economic contributions; it’s also deeply invested in grassroots community development. The company has made notable donations to public schools and technical colleges in Lagos and Rivers State, providing essential educational tools and infrastructure that support long-term growth.

Through community-driven initiatives like the GOtv Awoof Promo, subscribers have also benefited directly, with life-changing rewards such as school fees, cash prizes, and shopping vouchers that ease the everyday burdens of families across Nigeria.

Beyond education and rewards, GOtv champions sports development through the GOtv Boxing Night, a platform that not only entertains but also nurtures local boxing talent and offers athletes a shot at national and international recognition. The initiative has helped revive Nigeria’s boxing scene, giving young boxers a stage to shine, build careers, and inspire the next generation of sports stars.

Through these initiatives, GOtv continues to redefine what it means to be a media brand, using its platform not just to entertain, but to empower, uplift, and invest in the future of Nigeria.