Telecom
Carbon Expands Portfolio Acquires Vella Finance

Carbon has announced its acquisition of Vella Finance, a burgeoning startup with a two-year track record. This strategic manoeuvre by Carbon, orchestrated through its parent company, One Credit Limited, marks a pivotal step towards unveiling an innovative AI-driven business banking platform, poised to redefine financial services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

According to insights shared with Techpoint Africa, Tolu Adedayo, Co-founder and COO of Vella Finance, disclosed that select members of the startup’s core team have seamlessly integrated into Carbon’s operations. Moreover, Vella Finance’s extensive roster of 8,000 SME clients will undergo a smooth transition to Carbon Business, while individual patrons will be presented with the option to elevate their accounts to business status.
Despite the change in ownership, Vella Finance remains resolute in its unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. The acquisition is envisioned not only to broaden its market reach but also to catalyze innovation in financial product development, thereby fortifying banking security measures for its clientele.
On the flip side, Carbon stands to gain substantially from Vella Finance’s sophisticated AI-powered transaction analysis capabilities, empowering business clients with actionable insights derived from their financial interactions.
In discussing the acquisition, Tolu Adedayo underscored the longstanding rapport between Vella Finance and Carbon’s founders, citing Carbon’s pivotal role in Vella Finance’s early-stage funding rounds. Chijioke Dozie, Co-founder of Carbon, echoed this sentiment, lauding Vella Finance’s innovative SME platform as a driving force behind the acquisition decision.
The evolutionary trajectory of Vella Finance—from its origins as a cross-border payment facilitator to its current focus on crypto transactions and SME banking—underscores its adaptability and steadfast commitment to meet evolving market demands. With the advent of AI-driven business banking, Carbon aims to leverage Vella Finance’s expertise to enhance its recently launched Carbon Business platform.
This acquisition not only sets a precedent for Nigerian startups in 2024 but also follows a trend observed in 2023, characterized by notable acquisitions such as Bitmama’s acquisition of Payday and Chaka’s integration into Rise. As the fintech ecosystem continues to evolve, the potential for further consolidation and strategic partnerships remains ripe, signalling a promising trajectory for innovation and growth within Nigeria’s financial technology sector.
Telecom
Glo Rolls Out ‘Take a Guess,’ Bringing Fun and Big Wins This Season

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.
Telecom
Glo Unveils “Play Up” Lottery for Nigerians to Win Millions in Prizes

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
Telecom
MTN Nigeria Celebrates Esther Akinnukawe’s CIPM Fellowship and Inclusive Leadership

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.
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