By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Abuja, February 11, 2026 β Raymond Dokpesi Jr, Chairman of the Board of DAAR Communications Plc, apologised on Tuesday to Tony Akiotu and other former management members for how their exit was handled, while defending the leadership changes implemented after his fatherβs death. He made the remarks during a press briefing in Abuja, explaining that the decisions were necessary to stabilise the company and restore investor confidence following a period of decline.
Speaking to journalists during his bid for the chairmanship of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), Dokpesi Jr said the sudden death of his father, High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi Sr, coincided with an emergency board meeting that he had not been informed about, forcing him to intervene to protect the company.
He revealed that on May 29, 2023, the day his father passed away and President Bola Tinubu was inaugurated, DAAR Communicationsβ share price fell sharply from β¦5 to 20 kobo, reflecting eroded investor confidence. Dokpesi Jr said decisive action was unavoidable, stressing that sentiment could not override the need for survival and long-term growth.
Acknowledging that the transition process lasted over a year and faced challenges such as internal resistance, outstanding salary obligations, and organisational tensions, he highlighted that four of the companyβs six business arms are now fully self-sufficient, while the remaining two are steadily progressing toward financial independenceβevidence, he said, that the leadership decisions were correct.
While repeatedly apologising for any hurt caused to Akiotu and other former executives, Dokpesi Jr maintained that the overhaul was necessary and has helped stabilise DAAR Communications. He added that if elected BON chairman, he would apply the same principles of consultation, consensus-building, and stability to strengthen Nigeriaβs broadcasting industry.
