Raymond Dokpesi’s AIT Shuts Down Alagbado Office Over Financial Crisis, Staff Decry Unpaid Salaries

Raymond Dokpesi’s AIT Shuts Down Alagbado Office Over Financial Crisis, Staff Decry Unpaid Salaries

The African Independent Television (AIT), owned by the late media mogul, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, has reportedly shut down its Alagbado office in Lagos due to severe financial constraints.

According to reliable sources, the closure was necessitated by the station’s inability to sustain operations, pay staff salaries, and maintain essential broadcast equipment. Employees at the Alagbado office were reportedly informed of the shutdown earlier this week, leaving many uncertain about their future.

AIT, one of Nigeria’s pioneer private television networks, has faced growing financial challenges in recent years following the passing of its founder, Chief Dokpesi, and the country’s worsening economic climate. The high cost of diesel, inflation, and dwindling advertising revenue have all compounded the station’s woes.

A senior staff member who spoke under anonymity expressed disappointment over the development, lamenting that many workers had gone months without pay before the eventual closure.

“This is heartbreaking. We gave our best to keep the station running despite the tough times, but things have become unbearable. Management said there’s simply no money to sustain the Lagos office anymore,” the source said.
While operations at AIT’s Abuja headquarters are expected to continue, media observers fear this may signal deeper troubles for the once vibrant broadcast giant.

Founded in 1996, AIT revolutionized Nigerian television with its independent programming and wide reach, becoming a household name across the country and the diaspora.

However, with the Alagbado office closure, concerns are mounting about the long-term sustainability of privately owned media organizations in Nigeria’s struggling economy.