Telecom
“We are all about Empowering our Customers and Community” – Ugonwa Nwoye
To celebrate the 2022 annual Customer Service Week, leading ICT organization, MTN Nigeria, hosted customers at an online forum themed Empowering Customers and Community which was held on October 7, 2022. The session had over 200 people in attendance including MTN customers.
Ugonwa Nwoye, Chief Customer Relations Officer, MTN Nigeria, alongside Odunayo Sanya, Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, were the keynote speakers. The discussion centered on how MTN is empowering its customers and the communities across Nigeria while also addressing a few concerns raised by the customers.
Commencing the discussion, Odunayo Sanya appreciated MTN customers, thanking them for their partnership for over two decades., “MTN has flourished for twenty years and counting but this would not have been possible without the partnership of MTN customers and community, we say a big thank you,” she said.
Odunayo also stated that the world today is in crucial need of empathy, particularly towards individuals with special needs. She communicated MTN’s role in facilitating this form of empowerment, “MTN does not stop at providing quality service, we partner with organizations to ensure inclusivity of persons with health conditions in the society. Through the MTN Foundation, we empower and provide opportunities for growth, and also ensure the inclusivity of persons with disabilities, and a good example is the MTN scholarship for blind students.”
Odunayo encouraged everyone to see themselves as influencers in their respective communities, stating that everyone can effect change in their communities and personal lives. “Empowerment begins with the little things and evolves into the big things but one must begin from one point. We are all change agents capable of impacting and empowering others, so let us try to do the little we can wherever we find ourselves.”
Chief Customer Relations Officer, Ugonwa Nwoye explained that MTN Nigeria is dedicated to empowering its customers and their communities, by ensuring their service needs are met through a guaranteed quality network service.
“MTN is focused on making sure that everywhere we provide service, we work on making sure the services are at an acceptable level. We understand that there are some gaps, however, we put in plans to make sure that our services are at better levels even in rural communities. We have programs to go into rural areas and provide excellent coverage there” she stated.
Ugonwa also explained that MTN is interested in the well-being of its customers and continues to provide new ways customers can get the best out of their data bundles. Speaking to how customers can manage their data, Ugonwa said “We put out a lot of educational materials across all our channels, to help people understand how they can properly optimize the use of their data. For instance, on the MTN App there is a section that shows how much data your phone consumes per application on your phone every day.” Sharing his experience, a customer commended MTN’s stress-free channel for resolving customers’ issues.
Customer Service Week is an international celebration of the importance of customer service and the people who serve and support customers daily. It is a week-long event to raise awareness for customer service and the vital role it plays in successful business practices and the growth of the economy.
MTN joined the world to celebrate this year’s Customer Service Week with various activities including a photo challenge, online competitions, trivia quizzes, and giveaways. The giveaways run through to the end of October, and customers can participate by following MTN’s social media accounts where all activities and information are communicated.
MTN Nigeria has partnered with CardCentre Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Chams HoldCo, to introduce eco-friendly SIM cards made entirely from biodegradable materials.
The launch, which took place in Lagos, targets the reduction of plastic waste across Nigeria and the wider West African region.
According to the statement releasedy, the new SIM cards are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and produced using recyclable components and energy-efficient manufacturing processes.
“They meet global sustainability standards while maintaining the performance expected by telecom users,” the statement said.
It added that Tobe Okigbo, chief Corporate Services and Sustainability officer at MTN Nigeria, stated, that ”the partnership underscores our commitment to sustainability and innovation, while also supporting local businesses and economic growth through strategic alliances.”
In his remarks, Lekan Latona, chief executive officer, CardCentre, said: “We are proud to collaborate with MTN Nigeria on this project. Our biodegradable SIM cards mark an important step toward a greener future for telecommunications.”
Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce (NSACC) has commemorated its 25th anniversary with a landmark breakfast meeting that spotlighted the transformative power of media in fostering bilateral ties.
Held under the theme “Media as a Bridge: Strengthening Nigeria-South Africa Ties through the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MIP)”, the event drew a dynamic mix of business leaders, academics, and media professionals.
Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Nigeria, described the MIP as a strategic tool for diplomacy, designed to dismantle stereotypes and misinformation.
He emphasized the value of the programme’s study tour in South Africa, which offers Nigerian journalists immersive exposure. “If Nigeria and South Africa can get their act together, the rest of the continent will follow,” Okigbo remarked, hinting at MTN’s plans to scale the initiative across Africa.
Dr. Ije Jidenma, Chairperson of NSACC, hailed the MIP as a tangible example of innovation in action. She underscored the media’s role as a “catalyst for development,” especially in shaping public discourse and cross-border partnerships.
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya, Dean of the School of Media and Communication at Pan-Atlantic University, stressed the need for rigorous training in journalism. He praised the collaboration between academia and industry, noting that ethical and contextual reporting is essential for meaningful impact.
A highlight of the event was a panel featuring MIP fellows—Amarachi Ubani (Channels TV), Oluwadunsin Sanya (BellaNaija), Nifemi Oguntoye (TVC News), and Akinkunmi Obakeye (CNBC Africa)—who shared how the programme reshaped their understanding of South Africa. Their stories revealed a shift from stereotypes to shared values and deeper connections.
The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of NSACC’s 25th anniversary logo, symbolizing a renewed commitment to growth, collaboration, and opportunity for its members.
As NSACC enters its next chapter, the Chamber reaffirmed its dedication to leveraging media as a bridge between Nigeria and South Africa—two powerhouses whose unity could redefine the African narrative
Telecom
MTN Nigeria, WWF/NCF, and UNDP Launch 2025 PachiPanda Challenge to Drive Youth-Led Environmental Innovation
In a bold move to tackle Nigeria’s pressing environmental challenges, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, in partnership with the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria, has officially launched the 2025 Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge.
Part of the continental Africa PachiPanda Challenge, this initiative calls on young Nigerians aged 18–35 and youth-led SMEs to develop groundbreaking solutions addressing pollution, climate change, and community conservation. With the theme “Nourishing Tomorrow: Innovations for Food, Energy, and Water Security,” the challenge aims to empower eco-visionaries to reshape Nigeria’s environmental future.
Ten finalists will be selected for a transformative 3-day sprint event, featuring human-centered design workshops, masterclasses, and a high-stakes pitch session before a panel of industry experts. Winners will advance to the continental stage, representing Nigeria in the Africa-wide competition.
Tobe Okigbo, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, described the challenge as “a green opportunity” for youth to channel creativity into impactful change.
Dr. Joseph Onoja of NCF emphasized the power of collaboration, while UNDP’s Dr. William Tsuma highlighted the challenge’s alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.
More than a competition, the Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge is a movement—one that seeks to ignite innovation, foster sustainability, and amplify youth voices in shaping a resilient future.
Applications close on October 3, 2025.
Interested participants can apply at: www.mtn.com/pachipanda-challenge
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