When Joel Ezugwu’s father visited him in the U.S. from Nigeria, he often asked to watch familiar channels like AIT or NTA — something to feel closer to home. But there was no easy way to stream Nigerian content abroad. That moment revealed a glaring gap in the media space for Africans in the diaspora.
It sparked an idea that would grow into a mission.
Together with his brother Jeffrey, Joel launched ZUGU TV — a digital platform built to connect Nigerians and Africans everywhere with the entertainment, stories, and culture they love. With a growing catalog of movies, news, sports, and reality TV, ZUGU TV now serves as a cultural hub for the global African community.
We caught up with Joel to learn more about the inspiration behind ZUGU TV, what’s coming next, and how these two brothers plan to reshape how African stories are shared around the world.
Culture Custodian: Why was ZUGU TV started?
ZUGU TV came from a personal experience. While living in the U.S., I saw a major gap. There was no accessible platform where Nigerians or Africans in the diaspora could watch content from home — like news, movies, or reality shows.
Whenever my dad visited from Nigeria, he’d ask to watch AIT or NTA to feel connected. But nothing like that existed. That absence made it clear there was a need. So I created ZUGU TV — a space where anyone missing home can tune in to movies, news, sports, and more — all in one place.
Culture Custodian: What do you aim to achieve with ZUGU TV?
I want ZUGU TV to become the global go-to platform for Nigerian and African content. The goal is international recognition — a digital home for our people, our stories, and our culture.
Whether you’re in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, or back in Africa, ZUGU TV should help you stay connected to your roots and proud of where you’re from.
Culture Custodian: How many people has your platform reached so far?
We’ve introduced ZUGU TV mostly through my personal network — friends, family, and early supporters. Instead of rushing, we focused on getting the platform right.
Now, with the website nearly ready and a partnership with Culture Custodian in place, we’re preparing to scale. Our next phase includes strategic marketing and outreach to grow our audience across the diaspora.
Culture Custodian: You have a live website where people can stream African content. What’s next?
Yes — our website is up and running, and people can already start engaging with Nigerian content.
We’re building a high-quality mobile app for iOS, Android, and smart TVs. We’re also adding more content, securing new partnerships, and developing original programming. The goal is to make ZUGU TV easy to access — anytime, anywhere.
Culture Custodian: Where do you see ZUGU TV in five years?
In five years, I see ZUGU TV as a major cultural force. Our platform will feature everything from Nollywood films to live sports, music, cooking shows, and reality TV.
We want to spotlight African creatives and elevate how African culture is represented around the world. ZUGU TV will empower youth, amplify Black voices, and shift the narrative — all while building a sustainable, profitable business rooted in community.
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