MTN Nigeria Communications PLC has announced significant strides in enhancing gender diversity and inclusion within its workforce, as detailed in its 2024 Annual Report. The company revealed that female representation has climbed to 41.4%, a notable increase from 38.7% in 2023. This achievement reportedly positions MTN Nigeria as a leader in Nigeria’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, with female representation figures that are double the industry average.

This progress is a key element of MTN Nigeria's overarching “Ambition 2025” strategy, which prioritizes workplace inclusion and gender equality. The commitment to fostering a diverse leadership is further evident in the executive management team, where women now constitute approximately 46.7%.

MTN Nigeria attributes these advancements to a series of dedicated initiatives aimed at empowering women professionally. Key among these is the “Women in Tech” programme, designed to provide targeted upskilling in high-demand technological fields such as Cloud Computing, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), Data Science, and Cyber Security. Another significant initiative is the “MTN Y’ello Mums Internship Programme,” which supports young mothers in their transition back into the corporate world following career breaks.

The company's concerted efforts and the achievements of its leadership have received significant external recognition. Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, was distinguished as the CSI Personality of the Year at the Nigeria Tech Innovation & Telecoms Awards (NTITA). Similarly, Uto Ukpanah, the Company Secretary, was honored with the inaugural Global Corporate Secretary of the Year Award by the Corporate Secretaries International Association (CSIA). Furthermore, MTN Nigeria itself received the prestigious “Employer of the Year” award at the 4th Edition of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) Employers’ Excellence Awards and has also been acknowledged with a Corporate Responsibility Award.

Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, reflected on the company's journey and its impact, stating, “Since we initiated our culture transformation journey in 2021, our culture transformation has significantly enhanced employee engagement and organisational cohesion. It’s directly strengthened our ability to deliver outstanding business performance and drive sustainable long-term value for all our stakeholders.”

Odunayo Sanya further elaborated on the company's philosophy, emphasizing the importance of purpose beyond profits: “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 highlighted the value of transparency and collaboration, adding, “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.”