Telecom
OAU Confers Honorary Doctorate on MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola
Karl Toriola, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria and an alumnus of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, returned to his alma mater to receive an honorary doctorate during the institution’s 48th Convocation Ceremony on Saturday, December 14, 2024.
Toriola, a graduate of Electronic and Electrical Engineering from OAU’s Faculty of Technology, was recognised for his transformative leadership in Africa’s telecommunications industry and his dedication to societal progress.
The three-day convocation ceremony, presided over by OAU’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire, saw the graduation of 7,368 students and the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on five distinguished individuals.
Alongside Karl Toriola, the honorees included Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe, a renowned academia and entrepreneur; Daere Afonya-Akobo, a leader in the oil and gas industry; and Dr. Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi, Group Chairman of Mutual Benefits Plc.
The Vice-Chancellor praised the honorees for their exceptional contributions to humanity, citing their efforts to uplift the less privileged and advance societal progress through their talent, financial resources, and material support. He noted that their achievements exemplify the tenets of excellence and service that OAU instils.
Karl’s recognition reflects his remarkable journey as a business leader. Under his leadership, MTN Nigeria has solidified its position as a telecommunications powerhouse, boasting the largest subscriber base of over 78 million, fostering innovation, expanding connectivity, and driving socio-economic growth.
His leadership has also steered MTN’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives, which have significantly impacted education, health, and youth empowerment across Nigeria with over NGN30 billion in investment in Nigerian communities.
Expressing gratitude for the honour, Toriola said, “Returning to OAU, where my journey in engineering began, to receive this recognition is deeply humbling. This award is not just a personal achievement, it is a testament to the collective efforts of family, friends and the entire MTN team.”
Karl Toriola joined MTN in 2006 and has since demonstrated exemplary leadership through various senior operational roles across the Group. These include serving as CEO of MTN Cameroon and Chief Technical Officer of MTN Nigeria.
Prior to his appointment as CEO of MTN Nigeria, Karl served as Vice President for the West and Central Africa Region, overseeing operations in some of the Group’s most dynamic markets. Beyond MTN, Karl’s career highlights include his tenure as Chief Operations Officer at Airtel Nigeria and a range of roles with Ericsson in Switzerland.
A distinguished professional, Karl is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) and an active member of both the Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria (COREN) and the Institute of Directors (IoD).
The honorary doctorate conferred on him by Obafemi Awolowo University is a recognition of his enduring legacy as a transformational leader, whose visionary leadership continues to inspire the next generation of professionals and entrepreneurs.
In the true spirit of the festive season, Globacom has introduced “Glo Take a Guess,” a new value-added service designed to entertain, engage, and reward subscribers across Nigeria.
The interactive trivia game lets customers test their knowledge of everyday topics and lifestyle trends for a chance to win airtime, data, and exciting cash prizes.
According to Globacom, subscribers can join the fun by dialing 209992# and choosing from daily, weekly, or monthly plans. Once subscribed, they’ll receive an SMS confirmation with a link to play.
“Participants stand a chance to win fantastic rewards, including airtime, data, and cash prizes, when they answer trivia questions correctly,” the company explained. “It’s a fun and rewarding experience for everyone.”
Subscription costs ₦100 per day, ₦300 per week, or ₦500 per month — with corresponding rewards of ₦10,000 daily, ₦100,000 weekly, and up to ₦1 million monthly. The more subscribers play, the greater their chances of winning.
Globacom added that “Glo Take a Guess” is more than just a game — it’s a lighthearted way to stay entertained and earn rewards while easing the pressures of rising living costs.
It was a display of brilliance and composure as young Nigerians, aged 9 to 15, showcased their spelling prowess in the Enugu regional final of the MTN mPulse Spelling Bee on Saturday, November 1, 2025, held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu. After an electrifying one-hour showdown among 20 contestants, seven young spellers earned the right to compete in the grand finale in Lagos.
These excited champions, Nelson Ede Chidubem, Praise Ihionu, Emeka Nwaokocha Samuel, Treasure Oyibosu, Michelle Atanu Ufedo, Munachimso Onyemaechi, and Oyingba Douglas-Naingba, have been presented with their tags for the grand finale and will advance to Lagos, where they will join other regional winners to contend for the national title.
As part of the event, gift vouchers were presented to children and parents through questions and answers, adding a festive touch to the competition.
In his remarks, Honourable Emeka Nelson Nwagbo, Senior Special Adviser on Youth Mobilisation, Enugu West, said, “This initiative has not only encouraged academic excellence but also inspired our young leaders to pursue knowledge with confidence and pride. To the organisers, teachers, parents, and participants, thank you for making this event a success. Your dedication and support have truly made today memorable.
Once again, we say a big thank you to MTN Nigeria. We are happy that the brand is working in line with the vision of the Governor concerning smart schools. We look forward to more collaborations that will continue to empower our kids and youths,” he concluded.
Honourable Paul Ogbewe Okechukwu, Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Mobilisation, Enugu East, also commended MTN for fostering literacy and healthy competition among teens, and for hosting the first physical regional finals in Enugu.
Addressing the participants, Temilolu Salako, Senior Manager, Segment Marketing, Youth, Women, & Teen, MTN Nigeria, said, “At MTN, we believe in the power of connectivity and technology to transform lives and build a brighter future for everyone. My team and I are here to inspire, support, and guide you on your journey to success. Together, we can achieve great things and make a lasting impact.”
With the seven winners from the Enugu regional final now advancing to the grand finale in Lagos, attention shifts to the next rounds of the MTN mPulse Spelling Bee regional finals, scheduled to hold in Abuja on November 8 and Ibadan on November 15, 2025.
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.
Glo Play Up offers Nigerians a simple yet thrilling opportunity to turn small predictions into multi-million-naira wins. The game invites subscribers to pick a lucky number between 1 and 9 for a chance to strike gold.
To participate, Glo customers simply dial *400# or send their chosen number via SMS to 400. Each entry costs just ₦100, and players can either subscribe daily or play on demand — whenever inspiration strikes.
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.
“We understand the optimism and adventurous spirit of Nigerians,” the company explained. “People love to dream, play, and believe in the power of that one big win. Glo Play Up makes that dream more attainable — it’s easy to play, affordable, and truly rewarding.”
Every Friday at 4 p.m., a weekly draw will take place at Glo’s Head Office, where ten lucky subscribers will each receive ₦1 million. In addition, a grand prize winner will be announced monthly, walking away with an impressive ₦10 million. Winners will be hosted at their nearest Glo Regional Office, and all cash prizes will be credited directly into their MoneyMaster Wallet accounts.
With Glo Play Up, entertainment meets empowerment — reinforcing Globacom’s commitment to innovation, connection, and customer delight. The service not only promises excitement but also the possibility of transforming lives through rewarding experiences.
For more information, visit https://www.gloworld.com/ng/glo-play-up-lottery
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