MTN Nigeria Communications PLC has recorded a significant leap in gender representation, with women now making up 41.4% of its workforce, up from 38.7% in 2023.
The figure, which reportedly doubles the ICT industry average, reflects the company’s growing leadership in workplace diversity across Nigeria’s telecom sector.
According to its newly released 2024 Annual Report, the company’s push for inclusion and gender equality aligns closely with its “Ambition 2025” strategy.
Within the executive management team, female representation has now reached 46.7%, further cementing MTN Nigeria’s reputation as a model for inclusive leadership.
Okay.ng reports that MTN attributes the rise to targeted initiatives like the “Women in Tech” programme, which provides upskilling in high-demand areas such as Cloud Computing, Software Engineering, AI/ML, Data Science, and Cyber Security.
Another initiative, the “MTN Y’ello Mums Internship Programme”, is designed to help young mothers re-enter the workforce after maternity or career breaks.
At a recent conference, Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, emphasized the balance between purpose and profit, saying: “Businesses today need to be purpose-driven. While the soul of business is profitability, it is not profitability alone that should matter to stakeholders.”
Uto Ukpanah, Company Secretary, echoed that sentiment, stating: “Showcasing our corporate values and ethos to the world opens the door for greater collaboration with other organisations, as we believe there’s a lot to learn when we all come together. Governance continues to evolve. The challenges today are not the same as they were 10 years ago. Greater accountability is expected, and companies can only continue to do better.”
Both executives were recently recognized for their contributions. Sanya received the CSI Personality of the Year award at the Nigeria Tech Innovation & Telecoms Awards (NTITA), while Ukpanah was named the Global Corporate Secretary of the Year by the Corporate Secretaries International Association (CSIA).
MTN Nigeria also secured multiple accolades, including the Corporate Responsibility Award and “Employer of the Year” at the NECA Employers’ Excellence Awards (4th Edition), underscoring its broader efforts in driving diversity and impact.
Dr. Karl Olutokun Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, reiterated the company’s vision in the annual report,
commitment to building a purpose-driven organisation, emphasising that its success is intrinsically linked to its people and their dedication to a shared vision.
