Nigerian Twin Brothers Long for Their Childhood Shows, Launch Their Own TV Platform Instead
Zugu TV, a new streaming platform launched by Nigerian-American twin brothers Joel and Jeffrey Ezugwu this summer, is rapidly gaining traction among its target audience. The platform aims to bridge the cultural gap experienced by Nigerians living abroad by providing a wealth of Nigerian content, similar to how Telemundo and BET serve Latino and Black American communities, respectively.
The brothers, co-CEOs of Zugu TV, have set their sights on offering popular Nigerian content such as reality shows like Big Brother Naija, Nollywood films, African music videos, documentaries, and original productions like "Nigeria Today". This groundbreaking show will focus on life in Nigerian slums, shedding light on the challenges faced by those living without electricity or a reliable clean water supply.
Zugu TV's success is evident in its early subscriber base and active engagement with its audience. The platform has been present at significant events such as the 2025 Umu Igbo Unite Convention in Dallas and the UIU 2025 Convention, where it hosted live broadcasts and connected with fans.
One of the standout features of Zugu TV is its accessibility. Users can access the platform directly via browsers without the need for an app, making it easy for anyone to enjoy its growing content library. The founders are currently seeking outside investment to expand their content offerings, signalling their ambitions for growth and a broader impact among the African diaspora in the U.S.
The Ezugwu brothers became a bronze sponsor of the 2025 Umu Igbo Unite Convention to raise their startup's profile in the Nigerian community. The convention brought together professionals from Igbo culture for a celebration of their heritage and professional networking. Operations manager Wisdom Mugudu is part of the Zugu TV team, working tirelessly to ensure the platform delivers on its promise of connecting Nigerians living in the U.S. with their culture.
Immigrants play a significant role in the U.S. business landscape. According to a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), immigrants make up 24.2% of new business owners in the U.S. and 64% of the 582 U.S. unicorns studied were founded or co-founded by immigrants or children of immigrants. The top five job creators among immigrant-founded U.S. companies include REEF Technology, SpaceX, Stripe, Epic Games, and Better.
Steve King, a founder of Emergent Research, noted that immigrants, who often play a disproportionate role in fueling the business culture in the U.S., take a lot of gumption to start a business in a foreign country. Immigrant-owned firms also generate more patents per employee than the average and are more likely to create new innovations and bring them to market, according to an NBER report.
In summary, Zugu TV is a promising new streaming service that is rapidly connecting Nigerians in the U.S. diaspora with their homeland culture. With its diverse programming, interactive engagement, and commitment to fostering cultural connection and identity, Zugu TV is set to make a significant impact among its audience.
- Nigerian-American entrepreneurs Joel and Jeffrey Ezugwu, co-CEOs of Zugu TV, have attracted attention in the business world, particularly among immigrant entrepreneurs, as they seek to expand their platform's offerings, creating opportunities for African entrepreneurs in Los Angeles and beyond.
- In the realm of social-media and entertainment, Zugu TV's success story highlights the substantial impact immigrant entrepreneurs can have, not only in bridging cultural gaps but also in generating new innovations and engaging with their audience, as evident through their financing of the 2025 Umu Igbo Unite Convention and their focus on original productions like "Nigeria Today".
