LAGOS: Popular Nigerian media personality Morayo Afolabi-Brown has shared details of her difficult and unexpected journey in the broadcasting industry, revealing that she was once sacked and later rehired in a demoted role during her time at Television Continental (TVC).
Speaking during the Refire Conference, the television host recounted how her path into broadcasting was not originally planned and how several challenges shaped her eventual success.
According to Afolabi-Brown, she initially had no intention of becoming a television presenter, as her career plan was to work behind the scenes in television production rather than in front of the camera.
She explained that she struggled with self-confidence at the time, particularly because she had difficulty speaking fluently and sometimes battled with stammering.
The broadcaster said the plan was originally to recruit another person to anchor the programme. As part of that arrangement, she brought in writer and media personality Joy Isi Bewaji, who at the time was focused mainly on writing but later became widely recognised for her work.
However, events took an unexpected turn shortly before the programme was scheduled to go live. The appointed host decided to step away from the role to focus on writing, leaving the production team scrambling to find a replacement at the last minute.
With no alternative available and very little time to prepare, Afolabi-Brown was persuaded to step in and host the show herself despite her doubts and lack of confidence.
That decision marked the beginning of her journey as a television presenter.
Over time, the programme began gaining traction and popularity, helping to establish her as a notable face on Nigerian television.
Years later, she encountered a major career setback when TVC decided to remove her from her role.
The decision came as a shock and left her deeply frustrated, but she insisted she was not ready to walk away without defending her work.
Afolabi-Brown said she challenged the decision and emphasized her contributions to the station’s growth and the success of the programme she hosted.
After several days of uncertainty, the station reversed the decision and reinstated her.
However, she was brought back in a lower position, effectively marking a demotion in her career.
Despite the disappointment, she chose to remain committed to her work and continued producing and presenting her programme.
In 2019, Afolabi-Brown eventually resigned from her position at TVC. Nevertheless, she maintained a professional relationship with the organization and continued working with the station as a contract staff member, still anchoring her programme.
Her career took another turn in 2023 when she secured a leadership appointment as a Managing Director, a milestone she initially believed represented a breakthrough moment.
However, she later realized that the role did not provide the level of fulfilment she had expected.
According to the broadcaster, a major turning point came when she developed a new television show concept and presented it to a potential partner.
The proposal attracted significant support, with an investor providing ₦100 million in funding through her company to develop the project.
The development prompted her to reflect deeply on her career path and consider whether it was time to pursue her own independent venture.
That reflection eventually led her to leave her position and focus on building something entirely new.
Her decision resulted in the creation of The Morayo Show, a programme she now runs independently.
Speaking about the experience, Afolabi-Brown said the setbacks she encountered ultimately pushed her toward a more fulfilling path.
She said: A few years later, TVC sacked me. I was frustrated and had to fight for my job. Five days later they rehired me, but this time I was demoted. In 2019, I resigned, but I was still doing my show as a contract staff.
When I became an MD in 2023, I thought I had finally broken through, but I still didn’t feel fulfilled.
I wrote a TV show concept, and someone gave me ₦100 million. I had to ask myself if I could do this for myself, and I knew it was time to leave. I decided to take the bull by the horn and start again.
She added that her journey has taught her the importance of resilience and self-belief.
According to her, every new day presents an opportunity to improve and build something meaningful, stressing that individuals often carry untapped potential waiting to be expressed.
Till today, every day is a new day, and we keep asking how to make it better. God has already deposited something in you and brings things together to push it out, she said.
