The technology company and top mobile network operation in Nigeria also donated 4,600 digital devices, which were received by Senator Kashim Shettima, the vice president of Nigeria.

The VP commended the donation of N1 billion to the Federal Government’s Food Support Programme and 4,600 units of digital devices for distribution to schools.

He said the gesture by the telecommunications outfit towards the government’s efforts in addressing hardship in the country is worthy of emulation and indicative of its commitment to the development of the Nigerian economy.

“I am hugely proud of your (MTN’s) stability as a company and commitment to the progress of our country. We have witnessed a couple of changes in the industry, but you have remained stable and strong. On behalf of my boss, President Bola Tinubu, I want to sincerely thank you for this gesture”, he said.

The Vice President stated this on Friday when he received Engineer Ernest Ndukwe, the chairman of MTN Nigeria, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa.

Speaking during his engagement with the MTN Nigeria chairman, Senator Shettima said the donation by the company will be judiciously managed by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

On the distribution of 4,600 digital devices, each pre-installed with the Ulesson application, the Vice President said the MTN team will liaise with his office to work on the beneficiary criteria and facilitate the distribution of the devices to secondary schools in the six geo-political zones.

He expressed confidence that the gesture by the company would go a long way in supporting the government’s efforts to address the situation in the country, including support for the educational needs of the poor and vulnerable.

While calling on other companies in the country to emulate MTN in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility, the VP assured the business community that the President Tinubu’s administration remains pro-business and its policies will, in a short time, begin to manifest for all to see.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of MTN Nigeria commended the Federal Government for its efforts to revive the economic fortunes of the country through various initiatives rolled out across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government.

He pledged the company’s support to the present administration, noting that the gesture is in line with MTN Nigeria’s shared value objectives of “the AMBITION 2025 strategy” where MTN seeks to support strategic initiatives of the federal government.

On the N1 billion donation, Engineer Ndukwe said,

“It aims to support the most vulnerable, marginalized, and underserved communities, ensuring no one is left behind through increased collaboration and partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

He expressed hope that the devices donated by the company will support the Federal Government’s objective to increase digital literacy in secondary schools and improve creativity, analytical thinking, adaptability, and students’ access to current information in science and technology.

The event, marked by glamour and dazzle, opened with an enchanting performance by the national dance troupe, setting the stage for a memorable and exciting evening.

The highlight of the evening was the cutting of the anniversary cake and the unveiling of the highly anticipated book, 50 Most Influential ICT Innovators in Nigeria.

This book not only celebrates the trailblazers of the past but also acknowledges the ongoing contributions of industry leaders who continue to shape the future of technology.

The ceremony was graced by Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki who was represented by Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Hon, Ogbede Ifaluyi – Isibor and a prestigious array of honourees, including beneficiaries of the Lifetime Achievement Award: Engr. Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, Chairman, MTN Nigeria; Col. Aiyegbeni Peters, Chairman, Alpha Technologies; Austin Okere, Founder, CWG; Chris Uwaje, CEO, Mobile Software Solutions and Femi Pedro, Former Managing Director of First Atlantic Bank and Ex-Deputy Governor of Lagos State and Tim Akano, CEO, New Horizon.

Thirteen distinguished individuals were inducted into the Titans of Tech Hall of Fame, recognizing their exceptional contributions and enduring impact on the ICT sector.

The Hall of Fame inductees include: Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State state, Femi Williams, CEO, Newwaves Ecosystem Limited; Gbenga Adebayo, Founder and President, Royal FM 95.1Mhz; Margaret Peters, MD, Alpha Technologies and Amos Emmanuel, Founder, Programos Software, and InnovationBed.

Others include Oyesola Awodiya, General Manager, Ezzential Global Services, Limited, Tony Emoekpere, President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Muhammed Rudman, Muhammed Rudman is the pioneer Chief Executive Officer, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), Nigeria’s first and only neutral IXP, Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, Managing Director, Digital Realty; Ayotunde Coker, Chairman, Africa Data Centres Association (ADCA) and Peter Ejiofor, Founder and CEO, Ethnos Cyber Limited

Olawale Owoeye, CEO Cedarview ; John Nwachukwu, CEO, Zoracom; Pastor Lekan Balogun, MD, Netaccess Systems and Lare Ayoola, MD, Tranter IT, make up the list.

In his welcome address, Don Pedro Aganbi celebrated the remarkable journey of the Titans of Tech Awards, reflecting on the evolution of the ICT industry and its visionary leaders. He emphasized the evening’s significance in honouring past achievements while envisioning a future brimming with potential.

NCC won the Pan African Telecommunication Regulator of the year and Outstanding Public Service Communications Team of the Year Awards, ALX emerged as the Most Innovative EDTECH Company of the Year while MTN Clinched the Best Telecom Company of the decade Award.

Among other winners are Digital Realty, Best Global Data Centre Platform of the Year, itel, Best Customer Choice Smartphone Brand of the Year, NetAccess, Best Broadband Company of the Year,

Hyperspace Technologies, Most Innovative Web3 Security Solutions provider of the Year, Alpha Technologies, Most Innovative Value Added Company of the Year, Tecpoint Global Services won the Enterprise Solution Company of the Year while ipNX sealed Digital Connectivity Company of the Year Award.

NewGlobe was awarded the Pan African Digital Learning platform Award. One Data scooped the ISP of the Year Award.

Others are; Zoracom, Excellence in Cybersecurity Award, Covenant University, Most Innovative Tertiary Institution of the Year, Tobi Ayeni, Most Innovative Digital Content Creator of the Year, Royal Ibeh, Most Innovative ICT Reporter of the Year.

The Titans of Tech Awards continue to be a hub of excellence, celebrating those who drive the industry forward and inspire future generations of innovators.

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc., held its fourth Annual General Meeting on April 18, 2023. The AGM approved a final dividend payment of N10.00 per 2 kobo ordinary shares (subject to necessary deduction of withholding tax) to shareholders whose names appear in the Company’s Register of Members by the close of business on March 27, 2023.

This brings the total dividend for the year ended December 31, 2022, to N15.60. The cash dividend will be paid to eligible shareholders on April 20, 2023.

In its annual report published March 17, 2023, the ICT company approved the proposal for a Scrip Dividend Election Plan, which gave interested shareholders the option to elect and receive new ordinary shares in the stead of dividend in cash. Prior to the meeting, qualifying shareholders who intended to make the election for shares obtained the Election Form from Coronation Registrars Limited.

The decision to incorporate the Scrip Dividend Election Plan will benefit the qualifying shareholders because those who elect to receive new ordinary shares will be able to increase the number of shares, they hold in the Company without incurring capital market-related transaction costs.

The Company announced, in correlation with the audited report published on March 17, 2023, total revenue of over N2 trillion, amounting to 22.3% growth in profit before tax.

“MTN Nigeria delivered a solid financial performance in 2022, supported by our strong commercial momentum. We experienced growth across all our revenue lines” said Dr Ernest Ndukwe (OFR), Chairman, MTN Nigeria.

“We remained committed to creating and delivering shared value for our stakeholders and grew our other headline numbers as we continued to implement our ambitious growth strategy. Our mobile subscribers increased by 10.5% to 75.6 million, and active data subscribers increased by 15.3% to 39.5 million. Profit before tax grew by 22.3% to N534.0 billion. The total dividend for the year is N15.60 per share and the final dividend of N10 per share,” Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria added. 

MTN Nigeria remains committed to consistently generating value for our shareholders while supporting the government and communities where we operate.

– Toriola