Telecom
MTN Recognised as a Champion for Gender Equality in the Workplace
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has been commended for its contributions towards fostering gender equality in the workplace. This recognition was conferred at the Nigeria2Equal Gender Leader Awards in Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday, June 15, 2023.
L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange Limited, Temi Popoola; Non-Executive Director, MTN Nigeria, Dr Omobola Johnson; Governor, Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Chairman, NGX Group, Alh. Dr Umaru Kwairanga at the Gender Leader Awards Ceremony held at The Grand Ball Room, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on June 15, 2023.
Organised by the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) the Gender Leader Awards salute leading performers in the arena of gender equality. MTN Nigeria emerged as the star performer of the evening, claiming the coveted Outstanding Gender Leader Award, and establishing itself as the top-performing performed company across all categories.
The company also won Family-Friendly Workplace Excellence, Gender Equality Champion and Company Leadership Gender Diversity Awards. These recognitions were based on MTN’s stellar performance, benchmarked against criteria set in in the IFC’s Gender Equality in Nigeria’s Private Sector report.
Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, expressed delight at the recognitions, stating, “Gender equality sits at the heart of our identity and organisational culture. Our mission at MTN Nigeria is to build not only a successful business but an inclusive one. This award underscores our belief that diversity is our strength.
“We believe that a diverse workforce catalyses innovation and fuels our passion for driving change and enabling growth. Together, we are shaping a future where gender equality is not an aspiration, but a reality.”
Adding to this, Esther Akinnukawe, Chief Human Resources Officer, MTN Nigeria, noted, “At MTN Nigeria, we understand that an empowered woman means an empowered community and, ultimately, a more prosperous nation. That’s why we don’t merely create policies to foster gender equality; we ingrain them into our cultural DNA.
“We believe in nurturing an environment where potential is recognised and rewarded, irrespective of gender. This award reminds us that our dedication to gender equality makes a difference, and it motivates us to do even more for the betterment of our society.”
Speaking about the Gender Leader Awards, Ms. Dahlia Khalifa, IFC’s Regional Director for Central Africa, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone said, “As we celebrate the accomplishments of these organizations who have shown outstanding leadership in closing the gender gaps within their own organizations,
“we acknowledge the power of collaboration and the transformative impact that specific, measurable, and time-bound commitments can have on achieving gender parity in Nigeria’s private sector.
“IFC remains resolute in our commitment to sustain the momentum and scale up our efforts for a more gender-balanced, prosperous future.”
In May 2023, MTN Nigeria signed on to the United Nations Women Empowerment Principles (UN WEPs) to continue in its drive for gender equality dimensions of the 2030 agenda. Today, nine of 16 MTN Executive Committee members are female.
The Gender Leader Awards is an offshoot of the Nigeria2Equal project, implemented to generate and increase awareness of more opportunities for women in leadership, management, and employment in the Nigerian private sector. MTN Nigeria’s victory at the awards event underscores its track record of championing gender equality in the workplace.
Telecommunications giant, Globacom, has launched an exciting new lottery service — Glo Play Up — designed to blend fun, anticipation, and the prospect of life-changing rewards for its subscribers.
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In a statement issued in Lagos, Globacom described the initiative as more than just a game of chance, but a celebration of hope and possibility.
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For more information, visit https://www.gloworld.com/ng/glo-play-up-lottery
In an era where organisations are redefining leadership and equity, MTN Nigeria continues to set the pace with its growing cadre of women in senior leadership positions. The company’s consistent recognition of female excellence, both within and beyond its walls, reflects a deep, deliberate culture of inclusion and empowerment.
L-R: Katuka Halilu, Regional General Manager, MTN Nigeria; Ajibola Opeoluwa-Calebs, Senior Manager, Reward, MTN Nigeria; Esther Akinnukawe, Chief Human Resources Officer, MTN Nigeria, and ThankGod Otorkpa, General Manager, Regional Operations (Northwest), MTN Nigeria at the Award Ceremony and Gala Night of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, on Thursday, October 30, 2025.
Most recently, Esther Akinnukawe, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at MTN Nigeria, was conferred with the Fellowship Award of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) at the CIPM Gala Night and Awards Ceremony held on Thursday, October 30th, 2025.“This recognition is truly fulfilling, it represents the culmination of years of passion and perseverance. To be honoured by the leading institute for HR professionals in Nigeria is a remarkable achievement. I look forward to applying my experience and insight to continue strengthening MTN’s people strategy and driving excellence in human resource management,” Akinnukawe said following the honour.
Her recognition adds to a growing list of milestones achieved by MTN Nigeria’s female leaders in recent years. In July 2025, Uto Ukpanah, the company’s Company Secretary, made history as the 30th President and Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), becoming only the second woman to hold the role in nearly six decades. According to the company’s 2024 Annual Report, women now represent 41.4% of the total workforce, 34.7% of management, and 21.4% of the board. These figures reflect a steady rise in gender representation across all levels, supported by a range of internal programmes focused on inclusion, mentorship, and leadership development.
In the first half of 2025, MTN Nigeria’s strong financial and operational performance further reinforced the strength of its diverse leadership. The company recorded a 54.6% increase in service revenue to ₦2.4 trillion and an impressive EBITDA growth of 119.5%, reflecting its resilience, innovation, and effective people strategy.
This performance culture, anchored on inclusion and excellence, is reflected across the company’s leadership team. Beyond Ukpanah and Akinnukawe, several women occupy influential positions shaping the company’s vision and social impact. They include Dr. Mosun Belo-Olusoga, Chairman of the MTN Foundation; Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director of the MTN Foundation and recipient of the 2024 CSI Personality of the Year Award at the Nigeria Tech Innovation & Telecoms Awards; A’isha Mumuni, Chief Digital Officer; Oby Ugboma, Chief Risk & Compliance Officer; Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Chief Enterprise Business Officer; Ugonwa Nwoye, Chief Customer Relations and Experience Officer; and Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer.
Her journey, from teaching and consulting to leading human capital strategy for Africa’s leading TechCo brand, exemplifies MTN’s belief that empowered women empower organisations.
MTN’s ongoing success story, both in its financial results and in people development, demonstrates that diversity is not just a metric, it’s a growth strategy. As the company continues to invest in digital skills, entrepreneurship, and social impact programmes, its commitment to elevating women into positions of influence remains resolute.
Senate has confirmed the appointment of Idris Ibikunle Olorunnimbe as Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), following a successful screening by its Committee on Communications.
During Tuesday’s plenary session, the Senate adopted the Committee’s report and also confirmed the appointments of Maryam Bayi (North East), Senator Ramoni Olalekan Mustafa (South West), and Ikechukwu Ugwuegede (South East) as Commissioners on the NCC Board.
Other members confirmed include Princess Oforitsenere Emiko and Christopher Sandy Okorie, both representing the South South region.
The newly confirmed Chairman and Commissioners will join previously confirmed members of the Board, including Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida (North West); Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, Engineer Abraham Oshadami (North Central); and Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini H. Makama (North Central).
The confirmation marks a significant step in strengthening the leadership of the NCC, Nigeria’s apex telecommunications regulatory body.
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