1988: My Salary When I Started Was N9,000 A Year; When I Joined Concord, My Salary Was N8,400-Momodu

Media entrepreneur and politician Dele Momodu has reflected on the modest salary he earned at the beginning of his journalism career, saying his early years in the media industry were driven more by passion than financial reward.watch the video/continue

Speaking during an interview on Nevon HQ, on Tuesday, 7 July, 2026, Momodu recounted his entry into Concord Newspapers in 1988, where he began building what would later become a distinguished career in journalism and publishing.

He explained that despite the prestige associated with working for one of Nigeria’s leading newspapers at the time, the financial compensation was relatively small by today’s standards.

Recalling his first earnings, Momodu said, “My salary when I started was N9,000 a year. I joined Concord in 1988, my first salary was N8,400 a year.”

He noted that the figures reflected the realities of the media industry during that period and underscored the sacrifices many young journalists were willing to make to pursue their careers. According to him, his focus was on gaining experience, improving his writing skills, and establishing himself in the profession rather than on immediate financial rewards.

Momodu’s remarks highlighted the humble beginnings that preceded his rise to prominence as a journalist, publisher, and public figure. Over the years, he went on to found Ovation International, a magazine that gained recognition across Africa and beyond, while also becoming a respected voice in Nigeria’s political and media landscape.watch the video/continue