John Momoh, the Chairman of Channels Media Group and Founder of Channels Television, has shared his humble beginnings in Lagos, Nigeria. He grew up in a cramped one-room apartment in Surulere with his parents and six siblings. His father worked as a cook, while his mother was a petty trader. The family of nine struggled with overcrowded living conditions, sharing a single room with limited furniture and inadequate sleeping arrangements.
Momoh's family accommodation was so small that all nine members had to share the available space, while residents of the building relied on a common toilet facility. The room contained just one bed, a double chair, and a small centre table, with a curtain separating the sitting area from the bed used by his parents. The seven children had to make do with the limited space, often improvising sleeping arrangements whenever the weather became unfavourable.
During the rainy season, water seeped into the room through a leaking roof, forcing family members to find alternative places to sleep. Momoh also disclosed that his childhood was characterised by deprivation, revealing that he walked to school barefoot before eventually getting his first pair of slippers. He had to walk considerable distances in search of customers while hawking eggs on the streets of Lagos during school holidays.
Momoh's hawking activities took him from Cole Street in Surulere to Yaba and other parts of Lagos. He recalled the words he used to attract customers while selling his goods, saying the memories of those days remained vivid. His wife sometimes teased him about his childhood hawking activities whenever they had disagreements, recalling how he had previously shared the story with her.
Momoh co-founded Channels Television with his wife, Sola Momoh, in 1995. The station has since grown into one of Nigeria's leading television news organisations. He is the Chairman of Channels Media Group and holds the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). His testimony at the Adult Harvest service was described by the church organisers as an encouragement to the congregation.
The 2026 Adult Harvest service, organised around the theme of God's grace under the message, "The Lord Is My Shepherd", was attended by members of All Souls Church, Lekki, Lagos. The church organisers urged members of the congregation to remain confident in God's care, declaring that divine encounters awaited them. Momoh's account of the grace of God was described as an uplifting service.
Today, Channels Television is a prominent media organisation in Nigeria, and John Momoh is recognised for his contributions to the country's broadcasting industry. His story serves as a testament to the power of hard work and determination. Despite his humble beginnings, Momoh has achieved great success and continues to be a respected figure in Nigeria's media landscape.
Key points
- John Momoh grew up in a cramped one-room apartment in Surulere, Lagos, with his parents and six siblings.
- He walked barefoot to school and hawked eggs on the streets of Lagos during school holidays.
- Momoh co-founded Channels Television with his wife, Sola Momoh, in 1995, which has become one of Nigeria's leading television news organisations.
