Chuey Chu Talks Sports and Media Career Journey

Nigerian media personality and event host, Oladotun Ochu, popularly known as Chuey Chu, shares his journey from engineering to media, his passion for sports, and his favorite football team in this chat with PETER AKINBO.

How did your shift from civil engineering to media happen?
It started in university, actually. While I was in college in America at North Dakota State University, I did some volunteer radio and hosted shows. I thought to myself, if I can host, then it’s similar to presenting. So, when I returned to Nigeria, I decided to give it a try. That’s how I moved from being a civil engineer to a media personality and TV presenter.

Did you play any sports while growing up?
Oh yes, I was into two sports: track and field, and American football as well as football. I still play sports today. I haven’t done track in a while, but I recently ran in a race, the MTN Champs, when it came to Lagos. I also play American flag football, which is quite different from American football, and I still play football too.

Flag football will be at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Which is easier to learn: flag football or American football?
I think flag football is much easier. It’s cheaper to set up, and it’s growing faster in Nigeria than American football. I was among the first to promote American football here, playing in Nigeria’s first official game in Zaria about ten years ago and in the first West African derby against a team from Ivory Coast. Flag football is really taking off; both men and women are getting involved, and it’s doing well.

You moved from engineering to media, but you have a passion for sports. Did your parents influence your choice not to pursue sports professionally?
When your parents spend so much money, even with a scholarship, studying engineering is still costly. Coming from a family of scientists, they believed engineering was a safer path to financial security. You can’t blame them; every parent wants their child to have stability. My mom used to run, and I think many women stop running because they fear getting too muscular. I heard she was quite good, so I believe I got my athleticism from her.

How did your parents react to your career choice?
It was tough. My mom said, as long as I’m not doing anything illegal, I should go for it. My dad needed more convincing, but my success spoke for itself. I was getting results, and people were recognizing me without knowing I was their son. I was taking care of myself, which eased their worries about leaving a stable job like engineering.

Which sports team do you support?
Manchester United. There’s only one team: Manchester United, the Red Devils.

So, is football your favorite sport?
Yes, football is my top sport. But lately, American football has been competing for my attention.

What do you love most about being a media personality?
I enjoy meeting different people. One of my slogans as an event host is, “Let’s enjoy the company of one another.” It’s not just me; it’s a collective experience. I work in various parts of the media, sometimes in front of the camera, sometimes behind it. I get to meet different people throughout the year, learning about different industries like agriculture, marketing, or oil and gas.

Do you plan to invest in sports as an entrepreneur?
Yes, I do. I am currently looking to invest in sports media and athletic talent. The first step is investing in myself.

Would you encourage your children to take up sports in the future?
Absolutely. There’s so much potential we haven’t tapped into in Nigeria. The Americans excel at it. Their university stadiums are bigger than ours, and their fan base is massive. In their system, if you don’t keep up with your studies, you can’t play on the school team. This means you have to balance academics and sports, which is a lesson we can learn from them.

What advice do you have for new and aspiring media personalities?
Be selfish in a good way, focus on seeing the bigger picture. The challenges we face are preparing us for something greater. We admire stars like Ronaldo or Messi, but we don’t put in the same effort they do. It’s like wanting to be a CEO without understanding the work involved. There are no shortcuts to success, as that journey builds your capacity to handle the responsibilities that come with that role.