Telecom
How MTN’s ESG Strategy is Helping Fuel Nigeria’s Development Goals
MTN Nigeria’s 2024 Sustainability Report has provided a compelling case for how businesses can move from profit-centric models to purpose-led impact. As one of Africa’s leading tech companies, MTN’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy is not only helping the company remain resilient and competitive but also supporting Nigeria’s broader development goals — from economic inclusion to environmental sustainability.
L-R: Godstime Iwenekhai, Head, Issuer Regulation: Olufemi Shobanjo, Chief Executive Officer, NGX Regulation Limited; Jude Chiemeka, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX); Abubakar B. Mahmoud SAN, OON, Non-Executive Director and Chairman Social, Ethics and Sustainability Committee (SESCO), MTN Nigeria; Tobechukwu, Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, MTN Nigeria and Esosa Balogun, General Manager Risk and Compliance, MTN Nigeria at MTN Nigeria’s first-ever Facts About the Sustainability Report event held on May 8, 2025, at the NGX Office, Marina, Lagos
Kind Regards
The report, unveiled at an exclusive “Facts Behind the Sustainability Report” session held at the Nigerian Exchange Group House in Lagos on May 8, 2025, revealed that MTN Nigeria paid a staggering ₦764.2 billion in taxes and levies in 2024. This contribution reflects the critical role that large corporations play in shoring up public finances and enabling infrastructural growth.
This fiscal commitment is only one part of MTN’s wider development agenda. The company also spent ₦3.5 billion on Corporate Social Investment initiatives in 2024 alone, directly impacting over 663,300 Nigerians. These efforts span across health, education, youth empowerment, and community development. Programs like the “What Can We Do Together” campaign, the MTN Foundation’s Anti-Substance Abuse Program (ASAP), and its ICT and Business Skills initiatives have reached underserved communities and supported Nigeria’s youth, a critical demographic in Africa’s most populous nation.
“Beyond connectivity, we see ourselves as a partner in development,” said Tobe Okigbo, MTN’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, during the event. “Every naira we spend on sustainability is an investment in the future of Nigeria.”
On the environmental front, MTN’s sustainability efforts are beginning to show real, measurable outcomes. The company achieved an 11% reduction in its Scope 1 and 2 emissions compared to its 2021 baseline. This is in line with the global climate agenda and Nigeria’s commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2060. MTN is also implementing energy-efficient practices across its network infrastructure, including investments in hybrid energy solutions and modernising its facilities for lower energy consumption.
On the social side, MTN Nigeria invested ₦3.5 billion in Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives, directly impacting over 663,300 lives across education, youth empowerment, and health. The company has also been deliberate with its promotion of gender inclusion, with female representation in its workforce rising to 41.4%. More than 59.6% of its annual spend was directed to local suppliers, underscoring its commitment to empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These numbers reflect a business deeply invested in the prosperity of its people and communities, a cornerstone of Nigeria’s development aspirations.
In governance, MTN Nigeria’s report is a model of transparency and international best practices. The company is one of the early adopters of the IFRS S1 and S2 standards by ISSB — global frameworks that guide sustainability-related financial disclosures. The 2024 report is the second released under these standards, signalling MTN’s readiness for a future where sustainability reporting is a regulatory requirement and not just a voluntary action.
The event also featured remarks from key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Exchange Group, NGX Regulation Limited— all underscoring MTN’s leadership in fostering a responsible corporate culture.
What sets MTN’s strategy apart is its integrated approach: sustainability is not an add-on, but embedded into operations, governance, and decision-making. The company’s Social, Ethics, and Sustainability Committee (SESCO), led by Abubakar B. Mahmoud SAN, OON, ensures ESG targets are aligned with corporate strategy, monitored consistently, and championed at the highest levels.
MTN’s efforts feed directly into the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). As Nigeria continues its journey toward sustainable economic recovery, partnerships between government, regulators, and responsible private sector players like MTN will be crucial.
By setting the pace in sustainability disclosures and delivering real-world impact, MTN Nigeria is proving that ESG isn’t just good ethics — it’s good business, and a viable model for other companies aiming to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development story.
MTN Nigeria, in collaboration with ONErpm and Ultima Studios, has announced Ayodeji Benson, popularly known as Ayo Benzi, as the winner of the maiden edition of the Next Afrobeats Star reality show.
L-R: Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria; Ayodeji Benson, Winner, Next Afrobeats Star Reality Show (Season 1) and Emamoke Ogoro, General Manager, Brand and Communication, MTN Nigeria, at the grand finale of the Next Afrobeats Star Reality Show (Season 1), held at the Ultima Studios, Lekki, Lagos on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
The grand finale, held on Sunday night at Ultima Studios in Lekki, Lagos, marked the climax of a nationwide talent search that began in September with over 15,000 aspiring musicians.
After weeks of auditions, mentorship, and rigorous training, five finalists – Ayo Benzi, Dave Cash, Kaeko, Somto O’Laker, and Lucky Yay – battled for the top prize in a high-energy showcase of performance and artistry.
At the end of the electrifying contest, Ayo Benzi emerged victorious, securing a ₦150 million music deal. Dave Cash was named first runner-up with ₦100 million, while Kaeko, Somto O’Laker, and Lucky Yay received ₦75 million, ₦50 million, and ₦25 million respectively.
Throughout the season, contestants were mentored by leading Afrobeats producers Sarz, Puffy Tee, P Prime, and Andre Vibez. Benzi, who was part of Puffy Tee’s team, credited the mentorship programme for sharpening his craft and stage presence.
Speaking at the event, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to youth empowerment and cultural expression.
“The Next Afrobeats Star platform is about creating real opportunities for young Nigerians and giving their talent the structure, visibility, and support it deserves.
“Afrobeats continues to place Nigeria on the global cultural map, and MTN is proud to be enabling the next generation of artists who will take this sound even further,” she said.
She added that the finale was not just a competition but a celebration of growth and readiness for the global stage.
In his acceptance speech, Ayo Benzi described the victory as a defining moment in his career.
“A big thank you to MTN. From the audition days, the treatment MTN has given us has been amazing. God bless the brand,” he said.
The finale also featured guest performances by Afrobeats stars Iyanya and Bella Shmurda, adding glamour to the night and reinforcing the show’s connection to the wider music ecosystem.
With the successful conclusion of the season, MTN Nigeria and its partners reaffirmed their role in championing youth ambition, supporting creative industries, and shaping the future of Nigerian music through platforms that turn potential into opportunity.
T2, formerly known as 9mobile, is under investigation by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Benue State for an undisclosed incident disrupting USSD, SMS, voice, and data services across nine local government areas.
T2
The affected areas include Ado, Agatu, Gwer East, Gwer West, Konshisha, Obi, Ohimini, Okpokwu, and Otukpo, as detailed in an advisory on the NCC Major Outages Portal, which tracks significant disruptions reported by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
Neither T2 nor its public relations firm, Chain Reactions, has responded to inquiries on the outage’s cause or restoration efforts as of this report.
The NCC’s continued reference to the operator as 9mobile, months after its public rebranding to T2 in August 2025, has sparked questions about whether the name change was formally notified to the regulator.
This probe aligns with NCC mandates requiring operators to disclose major outages, their impacts, and timelines for fixes, with compensation obligatory for disruptions exceeding 24 hours under the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations.
Industry watchers note that such incidents, often linked to fibre cuts, power failures, or infrastructure faults, underscore ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s telecoms sector, particularly amid T2’s subscriber losses post-rebrand. NCC vows transparency via its portal to hold operators accountable and protect consumers.
Telecom
NCC Unveils Draft 5-Year Spectrum Roadmap, 60 GHz License-Exempt Guidelines to Boost Broadband, Innovation
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled two pivotal regulatory draft documents aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s communications sector over the next five years and fast-tracking deployment of ultra-high-speed wireless technologies.
NCC
In a public notice dated December 19, 2025, and issued pursuant to its mandate under the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, the Commission published the Draft 5-Year Spectrum Roadmap for the Communications Sector (2025–2030) and Draft Guidelines for the Use of the 60 GHz License-Exempt Band for Multi-Gigabit Wireless Systems.
Both documents are accessible on the NCC website for stakeholder review, with the roadmap outlining strategic spectrum planning, allocation, and management to optimise utilisation, support emerging technologies like 5G and IoT, expand broadband access, and align with global best practices.
The Spectrum Roadmap emphasises four core pillars: bridging the digital divide through low-band spectrum and satellite services, attracting investments via flexible licensing models, enhancing service quality with mid-band optimisation, and fostering innovation in areas such as direct-to-device connectivity and secondary spectrum trading.
It sets ambitious targets including universal 4G coverage nationwide, 50 per cent 5G penetration in state capitals, and average broadband speeds of 100 Mbps by 2030, while addressing rising data demand through band refarming and efficient management.
Complementing this, the 60 GHz Guidelines establish a license-exempt framework for the 57–66 GHz band, enabling multi-gigabit speeds up to 10 Gbps for short-range applications like WiGig, fixed wireless access, enterprise connectivity, urban broadband, and backhaul solutions.
The rules mandate NCC type approval for equipment, site registration for outdoor use, and interference mitigation measures, while prohibiting wide-area networks to safeguard primary users.
In line with Section 58 of the NCA 2003, NCC invites comments from industry operators, equipment manufacturers, consumer groups, and the public, with submissions due by Friday, January 16, 2025, via email to [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected].
The notice, signed by Mrs Nnenna Ukoha, Head of Public Affairs, stresses that stakeholder inputs will refine the frameworks to drive innovation, investment, competition, and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s telecoms ecosystem.
Fidelity Bank Appoints Onwughalu as New Chairman After Chike-Obi’s Tenure
DStv Offers Instant Package Upgrade for Customers from January to February
HURIWA Demands Accountability from SEDC Over N140Bn Budget Utilisation
FIRS Transforms into NRS as Nigeria Ushers in New Tax Era
MultiChoice Secures 12 Warner Bros. Discovery Channels in New Multi-Year Deal
Banks quietly move to enforce new ₦50 transfer levy from Jan. 1
Financial Sector Faced AI, Blockchain and Organised Crime Threats in 2025 – Report
FIRS says NIN, CAC Numbers to Serve as Tax IDs from 2026
Report Reveals Half of 2025’s Compromised Passwords were Already Leaked
Minister Claims Bandits Exploit Poor Network, Bounce Calls Off Multiple Towers
General News3 days agoNigeria Police suspends tinted glass permit enforcement over court injunction
Broadcasting2 days agoDStv Offers Instant Package Upgrade for Customers from January to February
E-Financial2 days agoFidelity Bank Appoints Onwughalu as New Chairman After Chike-Obi’s Tenure
Broadcasting2 days agoFIRS Transforms into NRS as Nigeria Ushers in New Tax Era
General News2 days agoMultiChoice Secures 12 Warner Bros. Discovery Channels in New Multi-Year Deal
News2 days agoHURIWA Demands Accountability from SEDC Over N140Bn Budget Utilisation