Telecom
MTN Nigeria’s Inclusive Workplace: A Model for Innovation
MTN Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a workplace that reflects these values. The company’s approach is not merely a response to societal pressures but is grounded in the belief that a diverse workforce enhances innovation and better serves its customer base.
MTN’s vision for diversity is encapsulated in its “Live Y’ello” values, which emphasize inclusion, respect, care, integrity, and agility. These principles guide the company’s efforts to create an environment where all employees can thrive.
Esther Akinnukawe, Chief Human Resources Officer at MTN Nigeria, stated, “Our diversity empowers us while inclusion unites us to succeed in a fair and equitable environment.” This sentiment resonates with broader industry trends. According to a 2023 Pew Research survey, about 61% of employees believe their organizations have policies ensuring fairness in hiring and promotions, highlighting the growing importance of D&I initiatives in workplaces across the globe.
Paul Norman, Chief Human Resources Officer, MTN Group, emphasizes that “a diverse workforce isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about bringing together different perspectives and ideas, which is crucial for innovation. At MTN, we believe that diversity drives creativity, and creativity drives success.” This philosophy underpins MTN’s commitment to promoting D&I through various initiatives focused on key areas such as gender equality, disability inclusion, and generational diversity.
The ICT company recently achieved the EDGE MOVE certification, making it the first telecommunications company in Africa to receive this recognition. This certification reflects MTN’s commitment to addressing gender disparities and fostering an inclusive work environment. Notably, research shows that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity are 25% more likely to outperform their peers financially, underscoring the business case for such initiatives.
In addition to gender equality, MTN is actively working to support persons with disabilities (PWDs) by implementing guidelines that encourage disclosure and providing reasonable accommodations. The company collaborates with organizations like the Nigeria Business Disability Network to enhance its practices and policies regarding disability inclusion.
Generational diversity is another focus area for the telco. The company recognizes the value of maintaining a balanced representation across different age groups within its workforce.
By promoting age-neutral language in job postings and creating platforms for interaction among various generations, MTN aims to foster an inclusive culture that benefits from diverse perspectives.
The broader telecommunications industry is also witnessing a shift towards more inclusive practices. National telecom companies around the world are revamping their recruitment strategies to attract talent from underrepresented groups.
For instance, AT&T partnered with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to enhance workforce readiness among diverse candidates.
Similarly, Verizon has established Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that support employees from various backgrounds, creating a sense of community and belonging.
As the company continues its journey towards greater diversity and inclusion, it remains committed to measuring progress through standardized metrics and accountability frameworks. By setting short- and long-term targets for D&I initiatives, the company aims to effect meaningful change across its organization.
MTN Nigeria’s dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace reflects a broader recognition of the importance of these values in driving business success.
As more companies embrace D&I initiatives, the innovation potential and improved performance increase—a trend that MTN is keenly aware of as it navigates the complexities of today’s market landscape.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Enugu State Government have signed an agreement for the operational lease of the NCC Digital Industrial Park and NCC Learning Centre in Enugu.
The agreement was witnessed by Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, alongside members of the Commission’s Board and Management.
The development is expected to strengthen digital innovation, skills development and technology-driven opportunities in the state.
As part of the engagement, the NCC delegation also visited the Enugu Smart School Initiative, where technology is being integrated into teaching and learning.
The initiative is aimed at equipping young Nigerians with relevant digital skills and preparing them for future opportunities in an increasingly technology-driven economy.
The NCC said it remained committed to supporting initiatives that expand digital inclusion, strengthen innovation and develop the talent required to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation.
The Commission said partnerships with state governments and other stakeholders were critical to creating an enabling environment for digital skills development and technology adoption across the country.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecommunications operators to make dedicated budgetary provisions for cybersecurity as part of efforts to strengthen the resilience of Nigeria’s communications infrastructure against the growing wave of cyber threats.
The directive forms part of the Commission’s Cyber Resilience Framework for the Nigerian Communications Sector (CRF-NCS), which introduces new governance, risk management and operational requirements aimed at safeguarding the country’s critical telecommunications infrastructure from increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.
Under the framework, all licensed telecom operators are expected to establish formal cybersecurity governance structures, dedicate adequate financial resources to cyber resilience programmes, and integrate cybersecurity into their enterprise-wide risk management processes.
The Commission said operators must ensure cybersecurity investments are no longer treated as optional operational expenses but as strategic business priorities necessary to protect network infrastructure, customer information and the country’s digital economy.
According to the NCC, licensees are expected to allocate sufficient budgets to support cyber risk assessments, security technologies, staff training, incident response capabilities, continuous monitoring and compliance with regulatory requirements.
The framework also requires operators to designate senior executives responsible for cybersecurity oversight.
At the same time, boards of directors are expected to provide strategic direction and ensure adequate funding for cyber resilience initiatives.
Speaking on the need for a stronger cybersecurity regime during the unveiling of the framework, Abraham Oshadami, executive commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, said, “Given the increasing digitalisation of services, the rapid growth of data exchange, and the sophisticated nature of modern cyber threats, the need for a robust, adaptive and inclusive cybersecurity framework has become more urgent.”
He added, “Both state and non-state actors are targeting essential sectors—including ours—through coordinated cyber and physical attacks. These attacks frequently target control systems and data integrity, underscoring the critical risks posed to operational technology (OT), especially in our sector.”
“As cyber threats evolve, they endanger not only system performance but also human safety, amplifying the severity and consequences of disruptions to vital communications infrastructure. Cybersecurity now encompasses human safety and must address the real risk to people’s lives when a system is attacked or compromised.”
The Commission further stated that operators are required to develop comprehensive cybersecurity implementation plans, conduct periodic risk assessments, establish business continuity and disaster recovery procedures, and regularly test their cyber defence capabilities.
In addition, the framework makes cyber incident reporting compulsory. Licensees must inform the NCC’s CSIRT of any major cybersecurity breach within four hours of discovery, and provide a thorough post-incident analysis after mitigation is complete.
Digital solution provider, Globacom has recorded the highest Internet subscriber growth among Nigeria’s major telecom companies for the month of May.
Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Nigeria’s total Internet users increased to 157 million in May, up from 154.3 million in April. That is a growth of 2.67 million users in one month.
Globacom led the market by adding about 1.2 million new Internet subscribers. This means Glo was responsible for almost half of all new Internet users in May.
The company’s subscriber base grew from 15.5 million in April to 16.8 million in May. Airtel came second with 1.07 million new users, moving from 54.8 million to 55.8 million. MTN added 382,894 users to reach 83.5 million.
T2 Mobile, formerly 9mobile, recorded no growth for the second month in a row. Its subscriber base remained at 802,534. This is despite its roaming agreement with MTN, which was approved almost a year ago to help T2 customers use MTN’s network in areas with poor coverage.
Industry experts say Glo’s strong growth is due to its ongoing network upgrade. Since last year, the company has been building new base stations, expanding its fibre network, and adding thousands of new 4G sites across cities and rural areas.
The upgrades have improved voice and data quality for customers, while Globacom remain committed to providing better network experience and affordable Internet services to more Nigerians.
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