Telecom
How MTN Employees Are Driving Social Change Through the Power of Corporate Volunteerism
In a world often dominated by corporate profit margins and bottom-line thinking, it’s easy to overlook the quieter revolutions happening behind the scenes.
In Nigeria, one such movement is being quietly driven not by executives in boardrooms, but by employees armed with a powerful sense of purpose to go make a difference.
Each year, MTN Nigeria’s staff volunteers set aside their day jobs to participate in Y’ello Care, the company’s corporate social responsibility initiative. But in 2024, they did more than volunteer — they raised over NGN20 million from their own pockets to renovate a crumbling school block at Iwerekun Community High School, Lakowe.
Iwerekun Community High School, before the intervention, was a picture of broken promise: dilapidated classrooms, leaking roofs, and a lack of basic facilities. Students struggled to learn in an environment that failed to inspire hope. Today, thanks to the hands-on efforts of MTN employees, the school boasts refurbished classrooms, a steady water supply, and even an inverter system to ensure stable electricity. More importantly, it offers a renewed sense of possibility.
Speaking about the 2024 edition, Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services & Sustainability Officer, MTN Nigeria, said, “Y’ello Care is the MTN Nigeria ecosystem giving back and contributing time, money, and resources to make a positive impact. Last year, we focused on education in remote areas, supporting three projects that will provide access to quality education for young Nigerians. And we are eager for the 2025 edition.”
Beyond renovations, previous editions of Y’ello Care have touched lives across Nigeria. Employees have organised vocational skill workshops, distributed learning materials through the KNOSK Charity Education Initiative, and mentored students to equip them for the future. From building digital libraries to delivering healthcare services through mobile clinics, MTN’s staff-led projects focus on long-term empowerment rather than short-term charity.
For many MTN volunteers, Y’ello Care is personal. Christiana Agyei, a participant in one of MTN’s earlier vocational training programmes, went from an unemployed single mother to a thriving entrepreneur. Today, she employs others in her soap-making business, a ripple effect that began with one employee-led workshop.
Over the past 18 years, Y’ello Care has grown into more than a CSR programme; it has become a culture within MTN, a living, breathing part of the company’s identity. Each initiative is not just a project, but a commitment to building the kind of Nigeria where opportunity isn’t determined by postcode or privilege.
At the commissioning of the Lakowe project, Honourable Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, Commissioner of the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, summed it up simply: “The education sector worldwide thrives on collaboration and commitment between public and private partners.
“MTN’s generous contribution is truly recognised, and I express my deepest gratitude for its unwavering commitment to supporting education in Lagos State.
“This new facility will provide a conducive environment for teaching and learning, enabling our students to reach their full potential.”
As Nigeria faces ever-evolving economic and social challenges, initiatives like Y’ello Care offer a template for how corporations can genuinely transform the communities they serve, not with slogans, but with sleeves rolled up and boots on the ground.
In the end, it’s not about NGN20 million or refurbished buildings. It’s about faith restored, dreams reignited, and the simple, radical idea that change begins with care.
Beyond Y’ello Care: MTN’s has had Broader Impact through its Foundation
Beyond Y’ello Care MTN Foundation has impacted the society through critical initiatives such as:
Healthcare Interventions: Through the Y’ello Doctor Mobile Medical Intervention Scheme, MTN provided free primary healthcare services to individuals across communities. Since its inception, the initiative has impacted thousands of Nigerians.
Vocational Training & Entrepreneurship Support: In collaboration with partners, MTN facilitated skill acquisition workshops that enabled over 500 Nigerians—including women and persons with disabilities—to launch small businesses. Over 65% of participants actively applied their new skills, and 50% successfully started businesses.
Scholarships & Digital Libraries: MTN Y’ello Care has established digital libraries and awarded scholarships to students, ensuring that quality education is accessible to as many young Nigerians as possible.
As Y’ello Care continues to grow, MTN remains dedicated to expanding its impact, especially in underserved areas. By investing in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment, the initiative is building a brighter future for Nigeria, one project at a time.
News
NITDA Communications Director Hadiza Umar Named in 2026 PR Power List, Graces Glazia Magazine Cover
Mrs. Hadiza Umar, Director of the Corporate Communications and Media Relations Department at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has been officially recognised as one of Nigeria’s top public relations professionals in the prestigious 2026 PR Power List.
The definitive annual list, compiled by GLG Communications in partnership with The Guardian, was unveiled to commemorate World PR Day.
It celebrates 50 outstanding professionals within Nigeria and the diaspora whose strategic communication strategies have significantly shaped organisations, influenced public discourse, and advanced the profession over the past 12 months.
Adding to the momentous milestone, Mrs. Umar was hit with a major surprise at the exclusive PR Power List Soirée and Awards ceremony held at the Alliance Française in Ikoyi, Lagos, where she was unveiled as a front-cover personality for the Glazia Magazine PR Power List Special Issue.
The double recognition highlights her exceptional distinction and impact in public sector communications and narrative management.
Speaking on the dual achievement, Mrs. Umar expressed profound gratitude for the honours, describing the magazine cover appearance as a breathtaking surprise.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to be recognized on the 2026 PR Power List and to feature on the cover of Glazia Magazine alongside other exceptional industry titans,” Umar said.
“This milestone is a testament to the enabling environment and visionary leadership of the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, which has allowed us to strategically drive the narrative of Nigeria’s digital economy and technological innovation.”
Mrs. Umar, a highly respected corporate communications strategist, holds professional fellowships in the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (Chartered), the African Public Relations Association (APRA), and the Institute of Corporate Administration (CICA).
Under her supervisory role, NITDA’s media relations have consistently projected national information technology frameworks, start-up support frameworks, and digital literacy initiatives, to position Nigeria competitively on the global stage.
The 2026 PR Power List selection process involved a rigorous, independent evaluation led by a distinguished international jury.
The organisers noted that the class of 2026 represents professionals raising the standard of strategic communications and introducing new ideas to the industry.
The need for Nigeria to think outside the box in its need to drive towards global relevance with innovations and scientific developments will be on the front burner at the NITRA Innovative & Scientific Conference scheduled to hold on Thursday July 23, 2026 in Ikeja, Lagos.
NITRA
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will lead other delegates to discuss and take far-reaching decisions at the event, which has its theme as “Bridging Nigeria’s Digital Divide With Scientific Innovation”.
Other companies that have indicated interest in partnering with NITRA include mobile communications company, Tecno; Africa’s premier end-to-end AI solutions company, Hyperspace; and telecommunications data infrastructure company, Digital Realty.
Speaking on the proposed event, the Chairman, Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), Chike Onwuegbuchi noted that the event will seek to create a platform for government and private organisations to deliberate on policies around scientific innovations in Nigeria, challenges, place of indigenous and foreign collaboration, roles of each stakeholder, and grassroots development in that regard, among others.
According to him: “The Federal government, with series of programmes and partnerships, has established the urgent need to create an ecosystem that thrives on scientific innovation, breeding institutions and individuals with a target of placing the country at the fore-front of Next-Gen development.
It is a known fact that digital and scientific innovations are crucial, not only to the survivability of a nation, but also to the sustainability of its growth and development, with significant effect on economic strength, global image, defense and security, government capabilities to function, and public health and safety, communication and digital footprint, among others.
The federal government is actively driving scientific innovation to foster economic diversification and build a $1 trillion economy by 2030. Efforts are heavily focused on commercializing research, establishing massive research funds, and funding strategic infrastructure, particularly in technology, biotechnology, and healthcare. Core government initiatives and policies include the newly instituted National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF), which aims to mobilize about $500 million annually to support research and the commercialization of scientific outputs; and the Nigeria Genomic City, a multi-ministerial initiative aimed at transforming Nigeria into a leading hub for genomics, precision medicine, and biotechnology. It is designed to protect indigenous data, stimulate artificial intelligence in health, and develop a highly skilled scientific workforce.
According to the General Secretary of NITRA, Mr. Chidiebere Nwankwo, the forum will also be a vehicle to propagating the views of decision makers to the public, thereby furthering the cause of public awareness and information dissemination on the topic.
The focus, he said will be on how Nigeria can sustain digital innovative growth and scientific development in Nigeria
The board of global payments company, PayPal, says a 53 billion dollars takeover offer from financial technology firm, Stripe, and private equity company, Advent International, does not adequately reflect the company’s long-term value.
PayPal
According to reports, the proposed acquisition, valued at 60.50 dollars per share, remains under consideration, with the board yet to formally respond to the offer.
The directors are said to be evaluating not only the financial value of the proposal but also the structure of the financing, the timeline for completing the transaction and the likelihood of obtaining regulatory approvals.
They are also considering the possibility of competing bids emerging.
Although the offer represents a premium of about 28 per cent above PayPal’s recent share price, the board believes the company could deliver greater value to shareholders if its ongoing turnaround strategy succeeds.
Following reports of the bid, PayPal shares gained about two per cent to close at 56.73 dollars.
Sources familiar with the discussions said Stripe and Advent have secured approximately 50 billion dollars in debt financing from JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley, while both firms would jointly contribute 17 billion dollars in equity.
Under the proposal, the two companies would jointly own PayPal instead of dividing its operations.
PayPal, Stripe, Advent International, JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley have all declined to comment on the proposed transaction.
The discussions come as PayPal seeks to strengthen its business after years of increasing competition from rivals including Apple Pay, Google Pay and emerging financial technology firms.
The company, which was valued at about 360 billion dollars in 2021, now has a market capitalisation of approximately 36 billion dollars.
Since assuming office as Chief Executive Officer in March 2026, Enrique Lores has embarked on a restructuring programme aimed at improving operational efficiency and restoring growth.
The restructuring includes the creation of three business divisions comprising Checkout, Venmo and Consumer Financial Services, and Payments and Crypto.
The company is also targeting 1.5 billion dollars in cost savings through the deployment of artificial intelligence technologies.
PayPal’s latest financial results indicated signs of recovery, with first-quarter revenue rising seven per cent year-on-year to 8.35 billion dollars, while total payment volume increased by eight per cent to 464 billion dollars.
If approved, the transaction would combine two of the world’s largest digital payments companies.
The combined business would process an estimated 3.7 trillion dollars in annual payment volume, significantly strengthening its position in the global online payments market.
However, analysts expect the proposed acquisition to face intense regulatory scrutiny because of the companies’ combined market share in merchant payment services.
To address possible antitrust concerns, the bidders have reportedly considered options, including separating PayPal’s Braintree business or other assets if required by regulators.
Sources said Stripe and Advent remain interested in pursuing the acquisition despite the board’s reservations, although negotiations are expected to continue.
Market observers are also awaiting PayPal’s earnings report scheduled for July 28 for further indications of the company’s financial recovery and future growth prospects.
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