MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has appointed three new directors to its Board, aiming to bolster its leadership team with their extensive experience and expertise.
The appointments, effective from January 2, 2025, were disclosed in a regulatory filing to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX).
The newly appointed directors are Mrs Eyitope Kola-Oyeneyin and Mr Odumezuo Nwuneli, who join as Independent Non-Executive Directors, while Mr Tim Pennington assumes the role of Non-Executive Director.
Profiles of the Appointees
Mrs Eyitope Kola-Oyeneyin
With over two decades of experience in systems transformation and leadership, Mrs Eyitope Kola-Oyeneyin is an expert in driving institutional growth and policy innovation across Africa.
As Managing Partner at Augmentum Advisory, she supports organisations in creating value through digital transformation and large-scale project execution.
Mrs Kola-Oyeneyin’s achievements include spearheading initiatives such as the Cashless Lagos programme and SANEF agent banking, which advanced financial inclusion in Nigeria.
Her prior roles include heading First Bank’s International Banking division and co-leading McKinsey’s Payments and Fintech Practice for Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
An advocate for empowering young Africans, she has written a book titled UNLEASH, which provides a roadmap for youth development and economic transformation in Africa. Mrs Kola-Oyeneyin is a Stanford University graduate and a regular contributor to global discussions on digital finance and innovation.
Mr Odumezuo Nwuneli
Mr Odumezuo Nwuneli, a seasoned expert in private equity and corporate finance, brings 27 years of experience to the MTN Board. He is the Managing Partner at Sahel Capital, an investment firm focusing on food and agribusiness across sub-Saharan Africa.
Mr Nwuneli has helped in raising capital, advising on mergers and acquisitions, and leading investments across various industries.
He has also played a major role in developing Nigeria’s impact investing ecosystem. Beyond Sahel Capital, he co-founded AACE Foods, a food manufacturing company, and Sahel Consulting, which provides strategic solutions in agriculture.
He holds a Master’s degree from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor’s in Industrial Management from Carnegie Mellon University. Recognised for his contributions, he is an Eisenhower Fellow and a recipient of Harvard Business School’s Alumni Achievement Award.
Mr Tim Pennington
Bringing a wealth of international experience in corporate finance and telecommunications, Mr Tim Pennington joins the MTN Nigeria Board as a Non-Executive Director. His extensive career includes serving as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Millicom International Cellular, where he led transformative projects that positioned the company as a major player in the Latin American telecom market.
Mr Pennington has held leadership roles in organisations listed on stock exchanges in New York, London, Stockholm, and Hong Kong. He is a former Non-Executive Director of Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC and holds a degree in Economics from the University of Manchester.
MTN Nigeria believes the diverse expertise of its new directors will strengthen the company’s governance and strategic decision-making. The appointments align with MTN’s focus on leveraging global best practices to drive its growth and innovation.
