Telecom
MTN Nigeria, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Funso Aina and Lakinbofa Goodluck Sweep Top Honours at Edge Awards

The 2025 Edge Awards became a landmark moment for MTN Nigeria as the company and three of its executives emerged as standout winners. At the prestigious ceremony, held at the Balmoral Event Hall of Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, MTN Nigeria was named Brand of the Year, reaffirming its reputation as one of Africa’s most admired and influential companies.

Adding to the celebrations, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, was recognised as Brand Personality of the Year; Funso Aina, Senior Manager, External Relations, received the award for Outstanding Public Relations and Corporate Communications Personality of the Decade; while Lakinbofa Goodluck, Public Relations Manager, was named Outstanding Public Relations Personality of the Decade.
The event, themed “Excellence Beyond Borders,” attracted leading voices in advertising, marketing, and integrated communications (IMC). The wins were widely viewed as a strong reflection of MTN Nigeria’s leadership, its depth of talent, and its enduring culture of innovation.
Funso Aina, a seasoned communications professional with a career spanning journalism, cultural diplomacy, and corporate relations, also reflected on the significance of the awards: “This award wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the incredibly exceptional team I am privileged to work with at MTN. I thank you all”.
The recognition comes against the backdrop of MTN Nigeria’s strong performance in 2025. According to its Half Year 2025 results, the company recorded ₦2.4 trillion in service revenue and ₦83.2 billion profit after tax, despite operating in a challenging macroeconomic environment. Data revenue grew by 8.6 per cent year-on-year, supported by 44.6 million active data users, while fintech revenue increased by 21.4 per cent, underlining MTN Nigeria’s role as a driver of digital and financial inclusion.
The executives’ individual journeys reflect the company’s people-first culture. Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, a Fellow of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), has over 25 years of experience spanning telecommunications, logistics, and education. Prior to becoming Chief Marketing Officer, she served as Chief Broadband Officer, growing MTN Nigeria’s fixed broadband subscriber base to over three million. She is also an international speaker on women in leadership and technology, and a doctoral candidate at Cranfield University in the UK.
Funso Aina, who joined MTN Nigeria in 2009, has been central to stakeholder engagement, perception management, and reputation building. His earlier career at Punch Newspapers, The Nation, and The News earned him international recognition, including fellowships with the U.S. State Department and the Commonwealth Press Union. Today, he is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s foremost corporate communications leaders.
Lakinbofa Goodluck, recognised as Outstanding Public Relations Personality of the Decade, represents the new guard of PR leadership. Since joining MTN Nigeria in 2018, he has risen through the ranks to become Public Relations Manager, operating at the intersection of corporate strategy, public perception, and digital influence. His work spans media intelligence, crisis planning, and issue forecasting, ensuring that MTN Nigeria remains resilient in a fast-changing communications landscape. Colleagues describe him as deliberate and analytical, a strategist who understands that every campaign is not just about visibility but about building trust. Beyond MTN, he teaches as an adjunct faculty member at Pan-Atlantic University’s School of Media and Communication, mentoring the next generation of PR professionals.
Together, the honours for Onyinye, Funso, and Lakinbofa highlight MTN Nigeria’s culture of leadership and its commitment to people development. According to the company’s 2024 Annual Report, 374 employees benefitted from leadership development programmes last year, while 82 high-potential staff advanced through the Aspire Leadership Programme.
For MTN Nigeria, the awards are more than an evening of celebration; they are a reaffirmation of its purpose-led strategy. As the company continues its transition from telecommunications provider to Africa’s leading technology company (techco), the wins signal that its greatest strength lies not only in its infrastructure and services but also in its people, leaders who connect business ambition with human impact.
Telecom
Vitel Wireless Lures Subscribers with “Data that Never Expires” Campaign

Vitel Wireless, pioneer Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) licensed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has launched an audacious “data that never expires” campaign designed to address consumer pain points in the market.

Kenneth Nwabueze, Chairman and CEO of Vitel Wireless
Fast-depleting data is a major issue for mobile users, particularly in Nigeria, with numerous complaints against network providers alleging that data plans exhaust prematurely.
But Vitel Wireless said it is now addressing the situation after extensive engagement with Nigerian consumers, particularly young people and small businesses.
Kenneth Neabueze, chairman of Vitel Wireless, said “What we’re saying to Nigerians is this, you buy the data, and you keep the data for as long as you want. There’s no more. You bought 2GB for two days, and it expires. If you buy that data under our scheme, it stays with you forever,” he said.
He added that the model promotes transparency and cost efficiency. “So it’s saving us money, it’s giving us transparency, and it’s giving us the ability to have control over how we spend and use our data,” he stated.
He noted that the concept was inspired by research into the everyday challenges Nigerians face.
“We talked to students who would tell us that in the middle of doing a project, they would be told that the data had expired, and we asked, ‘ How do we innovate?” We have analysed it, and we know, given the current economic conditions in Nigeria, you should buy the data with discounts of almost 40 per cent, and that’s why we are transparent”
The company has also unveiled a suite of products and services aimed at redefining connectivity, including its flagship Vitel Xphone.
The company explained that its services are available via both physical SIMs and eSIMs, with the 0712 number offering global use.
According to the firm, users can retain existing mobile numbers or migrate seamlessly, while enjoying nationwide coverage across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory with full GSM services including voice, SMS, USSD, and mobile data.
Chudi Nwabueze, chief operating officer of Vitel Wireless, described the firm as a technology telecom focused on innovation beyond traditional voice and data services.
“We’re coming in with a lot of innovation to activate applications and create tools that people can use in their businesses, homes, and daily lives,” he said.
He added that eSIM technology allows users to operate multiple lines on compatible devices, while introducing a range of digital solutions aimed at enhancing communication, safety, and business operations, anchored by its flagship Xphone.
Hence, the platform combines GSM and VoIP technologies to deliver seamless voice, video, and messaging services, along with cost-saving benefits and nationwide connectivity.
It is complemented by the Oga App, which enables real-time staff monitoring, automated payroll, and performance tracking to improve organisational efficiency.
Similarly, the network also rolled out SecureMe and Asset Tracker to address security and asset management needs.
While SecureMe provides GPS tracking and emergency alerts for personal and workplace safety, Asset Tracker helps businesses monitor and manage physical assets in real time.
Vitel Wireless noted that on pricing, challenged consumers to compare daily data costs across operators, while adding that the network offers discounts for higher volumes without imposing expiry limits.
Also speaking, Chinenye Adebayo, relationship partnership manager, outlined opportunities for Nigerians to join the company’s distribution network by visiting the website and becoming a mobile agent or sun-agents in any state.
The company noted that its offerings, including Close User Group (CUG) services and high-speed wireless network, are designed to provide integrated digital solutions for individuals and enterprises, as it seeks to position itself as a disruptive force in Nigeria’s telecom sector.
Telecom
Nigeria, Ghana Trigger Stunning 45 Percent Surge in MTN Dividends

MTN Group delivered impressive financial and operational achievements for 2025, boosted by strong performances in MTN Nigeria and MTN Ghana, as well as solid earnings from MTN South Africa.

The three core markets of Africa’s largest mobile provider enhanced profitability, free cash flow, and shareholder dividends by 45%.
IT Web Africa reported that Ralph Mupita, group CEO and president, MTN, highlighted that the telecoms giant’s robust commercial momentum across key markets capped the final year of its Ambition 2025 strategy, while laying the foundation for a new long-term growth phase under Ambition 2030.
“The Group’s overall performance in 2025 was excellent. In the final year of our Ambition 2025 strategy, we were proud to have exceeded the 300 million customers milestone,” he said.
MTN revealed that it now serves more than 307 million voice subscribers, 172 million data users, and 70 million Mobile Money customers across 16 African markets, reflecting the continent’s growing demand for digital connectivity and financial services.
The operator credited its results to disciplined commercial execution and sustained investment in network infrastructure, with R38 billion spent during the year to expand capacity, improve coverage and enhance service quality.
The group reported that data traffic surged 27%, while average monthly data consumption per user climbed to 12.5GB, up from 10.8GB a year earlier, reflecting Africa’s fast-growing appetite for digital services.
Financially, the performance was driven by MTN’s largest markets.
In constant currency terms, MTN Nigeria grew service revenue by 54.9%, while MTN Ghana increased service revenue by 35.9%.
Meanwhile, MTN South Africa recorded 2% growth, demonstrating operational resilience in one of the continent’s most mature and competitive telecom markets.
MTN Group service revenue rose nearly a quarter to R218 billion, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation climbed to R98.5 billion, supported by R3.6 billion in expense efficiencies.
Mupita stressed that the strong results translated into robust free cash flow and improved return generation, allowing the board to declare a dividend of 500 cents per share, up from 345 cents the previous year.
“This comfortably exceeds the minimum dividend of 370 cents we had previously guided,” he said.
The group also announced a R6 billion share buyback programme as part of an enhanced shareholder remuneration framework aimed at delivering stronger long-term returns.
Alongside its results, MTN unveiled Ambition 2030, a strategy centred on three platforms, connectivity, fintech and digital infrastructure, as it seeks to capture the next wave of growth driven by data adoption and financial inclusion across Africa.
“We are hugely excited about Africa’s potential. We are well positioned to leverage our scale, footprint and brand leadership to capture the significant structural growth opportunities identified,” said Mupita.
Source: IT Web Africa
Telecom
ATCIS Urges FG to Ensure Safety of Consumers Data

Association of Telephone, Cable TV, and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS) non-profit consumer rights group dedicated to protecting the rights, interests, and welfare of telecommunications subscribers, has urged the Federal Government to ensure safety of telecom consumers’ data hosted by government agencies.

Dr Sina Bilesanmi, president of the body stated this World Consumers Day in Lagos.
He alleged that said subscribers” data are being jeopardised by some of its agencies.
Bilesanmi urged government to ensure that every subscriber in Nigeria can use digital service without fear of physical, financial, or data-related harm.
The ACTIS president said safety in the telecommunication sector extends beyond physical hardware to include data privacy and protection from cyber fraud.
“We call for stricter enforcement by the Standard organization of Nigeria (SON) to eliminate substandard mobile devices and Cable Tv equipment that pose fire or electric hazards.
“We also want safe services from telecoms that are transparent – free from hidden charges and misleading advertisements”, he said.
He urged subscribers to utilize platforms like ACTIS as well as NCC and even FCCPC web portal when they encounter service failures.
He also tasked FG on hosting Nigerian Data Privacy in the country.
He said: “We ask for more robust surveillance and swifter penalties for entities that violate consumer safety standards. We admonish the subscribers to be aware and speak out, a vigilant consumer is a protected consumer.”
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