Telecom
MTN’s Uto Ukpanah Becomes 30th ICSAN President, Reinforcing Female Leadership in Governance

Nigeria’s corporate landscape is witnessing a significant transformation, with women increasingly occupying leadership positions and reshaping the narrative at the highest levels. A striking example of this shift unfolded recently as Mrs. Uto Ukpanah, FCIS, Company Secretary of MTN Nigeria, was inaugurated as the 30th President and Chairman of Council of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN).

L-R: Dr. Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria; Uto Ukpanah, President, ICSAN and Company Secretary, MTN Nigeria, and Aniekan Ukpanah, Managing Partner, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie at the Investiture Ceremony of Uto Ukpanah as ICSAN 30th President, held in Lagos on Wednesday, July 23, 2o25.
Historically, ICSAN was led exclusively by men for nearly 57 years. However, the trend began to change in 2023 when Mrs. Funmi Ekundayo broke barriers as the Institute’s first female president. In 2025, her successor and former vice president, Mrs. Ukpanah, has now become only the second woman to assume the presidency, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s governance sector.
This development aligns with the broader momentum for women’s leadership across Nigeria’s business ecosystem. MTN Nigeria stands out as a champion of gender diversity. The company’s 2024 Annual Report reveals that women now constitute 41.4% of the workforce, a marked increase by 3% compared to 2023.
Among executive management, women hold 34.7% of positions, while female board representation stands at 21.4%. MTN’s deliberate drive, bolstered by initiatives such as the Women in Tech programme and the Y’ello Mums Internship, is fostering a pipeline of female talent across all tiers.
Female leaders at MTN are shaping strategy and impact on multiple fronts: Dr. Mosun Olusoga chairs the MTN Foundation; Odunayo Sanya serves as the Executive Director, MTN Foundation; Dr. Omobola Johnson contributes as a Non-Executive Director of the Board of Directors; and a host of others including Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Esther Akinnukawe, Ugonwa Nwoye, among others, lead critical business functions.
MTN’s policy of inclusion is reflected not just in numbers, but in recent recognitions. In 2024, Odunayo Sanya was named CSI Personality of the Year at the Nigeria Tech Innovation & Telecoms Awards, and Josephine Sarouk, Managing Director of Bayobab Nigeria (subsidiary of MTN), received the Woman in Telecoms Award in London.
Mrs. Ukpanah herself was honoured as the first-ever African recipient of the Global Corporate Secretary of the Year Award by the Corporate Secretaries International Association (CSIA), a testament to her pioneering leadership.
Ukpanah’s investiture as ICSAN President was held on July 23, 2025, in Lagos, attracting an array of dignitaries, government officials, and business leaders. Chaired by Prof. Hakeem Belo-Osagie, with a keynote delivered by Dr. Omobola Johnson, the event saw the full support of MTN Nigeria’s top brass, including CEO Karl Toriola and Board Chairman Dr. Ernest Ndukwe. In his goodwill message, Dr. Ndukwe remarked:
“This honour is a fitting recognition for Uto’s distinguished career, unwavering professionalism, and deep commitment to the principles of good governance. Uto has consistently exemplified the values that I believe ICSAN upholds, and we are confident that her leadership will further strengthen the Institute’s aspirations towards promoting excellence in governance.
“At MTN Nigeria, we are proud of her achievements and reaffirm our full support as she embarks on this important assignment. We look forward to the positive impact her tenure will bring to ICSAN.”
Also, her husband, Aniekan Ukpanah, Senior Partner at Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, described her as “a passionate steward, rooted in family, bound by purpose, and committed to legacy.” Outgoing ICSAN President Mrs. Ekundayo added that Ukpanah is “astute, visionary, and principled.”
Mrs. Ukpanah’s ascendancy to ICSAN’s top office, and MTN’s visible support, do more than celebrate personal or organisational victories; they signal a new era, one in which women are not just present, but are key architects of governance and future prosperity for Nigeria.
Telecom
Konga Launches ‘Berekete Sales’ with Up to 50% Discounts Across Major Categories

Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, Konga, has announced the launch of its highly anticipated Berekete Sales, a nationwide promotional campaign designed to deliver exceptional value to customers across key product categories.

Konga Berekete
The initiative reinforces Konga’s commitment to affordability, accessibility, and innovation while strengthening its position as a trusted retail partner for millions of Nigerians.
The Berekete Sales campaign features discounts of up to 50% on high-demand categories including Home and Kitchen, Computing, Electronics, Beauty, and Personal Care.
Carefully curated to meet both everyday and aspirational needs, the campaign comes at a strategic period that coincides with Ramadan, Lent, and the approaching Eid al-Fitr celebrations, seasons traditionally associated with reflection, generosity, and family-oriented spending.
Speaking on the campaign, Victor Olaleye, Konga Group Head of Marketing, emphasised that the Berekete Sales initiative reflects the company’s understanding of the economic climate and the importance of value-driven retail experiences. “Berekete Sales is about delivering abundance in savings to our customers,” he stated.
“We recognise that this period is significant for many households observing Ramadan and Lent, and we want to ensure they can access premium products at competitive prices.
“Our goal remains to make quality products accessible while maintaining the seamless shopping experience Konga is known for.”
Among the standout offers is a special deal on the Starlink Gen 3 kit, now available at ₦550,000, reduced from its regular price of ₦590,000.
As the authorised distributor, Konga continues to provide customers with reliable access to the high-speed satellite internet solution, further strengthening connectivity options in Nigeria.
Activation services are available in select cities, ensuring a smooth transition to enhanced internet performance.
In addition, technology enthusiasts can take advantage of an exclusive offer on the Huawei Watch 3, with a special promotion that allows customers to receive two units for the price of one at ₦200,000.
This offer underscores Konga’s strategy of delivering premium lifestyle products with unmatched value.
The Berekete Sales campaign also extends to computing solutions, with attractive deals on ASUS laptops, catering to professionals, students, and businesses seeking performance-driven devices at competitive prices.
Furthermore, customers can pre-order the new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra on Konga and receive gift items worth over ₦500,000 from Samsung, a compelling incentive for early adopters and technology enthusiasts.
By aligning its promotional calendar with key religious seasons, Konga demonstrates cultural awareness while providing practical solutions for customers during Ramadan, Lenten observances, and Eid celebrations.
The campaign ensures that households can upgrade their living spaces, enhance productivity, and invest in quality lifestyle products without straining their budgets.
Beyond the discounts, Konga’s integrated ecosystem, spanning secure payment solutions, nationwide logistics, and reliable customer support, ensures a seamless shopping journey from browsing to delivery.
This operational strength continues to differentiate the brand within Nigeria’s competitive e-commerce landscape.
As consumer expectations evolve, Konga remains focused on delivering not just products but complete retail experiences anchored on trust, transparency, and value. The Berekete Sales campaign is positioned to drive significant traffic, boost sales volumes, and deepen brand loyalty across its growing customer base.
With substantial savings, premium product offerings, and time-sensitive deals, the Berekete Sales As the campaign gains momentum, customers are encouraged to visit Konga.com or any Konga retail store nationwide to take advantage of these limited-time offers.
With its blend of spiritual season sensitivity and high-tech accessibility, Konga continues to set the pace for the future of commerce in Africa.
Telecom
Sunil Bharti Mittal Conferred GSMA Lifetime Achievement Award for Transforming Global Telecommunications

The GSMA has conferred a rare Lifetime Achievement Award on Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, recognising his role in reshaping the global telecommunications landscape and expanding connectivity across operators, governments, businesses and billions of consumers worldwide.

Bestowed on only a handful of industry leaders in the GSMA’s history, the honour recognises contributions that have left an enduring and defining mark on the global communications ecosystem.
The award was presented at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in the distinguished presence of His Majesty Felipe VI, the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, the President of Catalonia, Salvador Illa, and global industry leaders.
A visionary in the telecom sector, Sunil Bharti Mittal has built Bharti Airtel into one of the world’s leading mobile operators, with operations across India and Africa, ranking among the top three globally and serving over half a billion customers.
He pioneered the expansion of mobile services across emerging markets and served as Chairman of the GSMA from 2017 to 2018, where he championed policies that encouraged investment and innovation while strengthening the industry’s commitment to connecting the unconnected and advancing digital inclusion.
He was previously honoured with the GSMA Chairman’s Award in 2008 and again in 2016 for his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of the global mobile industry and was felicitated at Mobile World Congress in February 2019 in recognition of his Chairmanship.
On receiving the award, Sunil Bharti Mittal said, “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition and sincerely thank the GSMA for this award. I accept it not only as a personal milestone, but as a tribute to India’s telecom journey, the collective spirit of Bharti, and the rise of Indian telecom companies on the global stage.
Equally the award reflects the progress of an industry that has connected billions and belongs to the customers we serve, the teams who built our institutions, and the partners who believe in the transformative power of connectivity.
Telecommunication is a force that expands opportunity, places essential services in the palm of every individual and unlocks human potential. Helping shape its evolution into a powerful accelerator of modern progress has been a privileged responsibility. As innovation accelerates, we will continue to work with our partners & stakeholders to ensure that growth advances equity and creates lasting opportunity for generations to come.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award is a rare honour, bestowed only on select individuals whose leadership and innovation have left an enduring mark on the industry.
Telecom
House Probes Fintech Regulation via Public Hearing on New Commission Bill

House of Representatives is pushing to regulate Nigeria’s fintech sector through a public hearing on “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Nigerian Fintech Regulatory Commission and for Related Matters (HB.2389).”

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas opened the hearing, stressing the need for stakeholder inputs to craft enforceable, constitutional laws addressing regulatory overlaps in digital banking, science, technology, and communications.
Abbas highlighted fintech’s role in Nigeria’s growth via digital payments, blockchain, crowdfunding, and financial inclusion for the unbanked, creating jobs and supporting SMEs under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He warned that lagging regulations cause fragmentation, compliance issues, and investor uncertainty, necessitating a coordinating commission for licensing, supervision, standards, and a level playing field without duplicating bodies like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), SEC, NITDA, or NDIC.
The commission would protect consumers, monitor cybersecurity, ensure data privacy, and promote education while complementing existing regulators.
Committee Chairman Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, overseeing digital banking, banking regulations, science, technology, communications, capital markets, and institutions, called the bill vital for harmonizing oversight amid Nigeria’s rise as Africa’s fintech hub with 430+ firms valued at billions.
Ukpong-Udo emphasized balancing innovation, stability, and coordination to avoid burdens on startups.
Bill sponsor Fuad Kayode Laguda argued the commission would streamline operations currently split among CBN, SEC, NITDA, NOTAP, and FIRS, boosting profitability, user security, and ease of business. He cited 2024-2026 stats: 250-430 firms, $230 billion market projection, $10.6 billion valuation for top nine, and $1.6 billion in mobile transactions.
Fintech stakeholders offered mixed views, with some backing unified regulation and others fearing overlaps with current mandates.
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