Few people have contributed to the growth and changing face of the TV, Film and Entertainment industry in Africa more than M-Net West Africa Director Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu. In 2014, she became the first regional director for M-Net’s operations in West Africa, managing its various channels, including Africa Magic Showcase, Africa Magic Family, Africa Magic Epic, Africa Magic Urban and three local-language channels: Africa Magic Hausa, Africa Magic Yoruba.
Her reign as the numero uno of the Africa Magic empire in the sub region has led to unprecedented growth and facilitated the creation of thrilling global and indigenous content that tells the African story. Hush, Battleground, Hotel Majestic, Ajoche, Forbidden are some of the contents that the Africa Magic Channel has churned out since she came on board. They have all been received with positive ratings that have expanded viewership and have been critically acclaimed by stakeholders in the art and media industry.
Under her watch, Africa Magic Igbo was added to the M-Net stable and the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards which honors outstanding performances in film and television all over the continent was pioneered by her.
She is not resting on her oars as she unlocks new height for the organization. In 2020, she is already at the forefront of some of the top new shows – Ultimate love, Date My Family, Unmarried, Dr Laser – that are generating the buzz around the African continent.
Wangi says she derives her work ethics from her mother. In an interview with Punch newspaper in 2018, she credits her mom for how she has turned out. “My sister and I owe a lot to our mother; she was a single parent, which is the biggest part and she is my role model. She was tireless and ensured that we were educated and lived the kind of lifestyle we desired. I was able to school abroad, I also attended one of the best universities and I never lacked anything.”
Wangi, a self-professed workaholic and team player who is happily married with three kids has always been an achiever. She graduated with honors from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka were she studied political science, then she proceeded to the Institute of Direct Marketing where she earned a post graduate degree in Direct Marketing. Before joining M-Net, she had already garnered almost two decades of cognate experience working for prestigious firms like Airtel Nigeria, British American Tobacco and Tequila Nigeria.