His victory didn’t stop at securing him the championship title, it also gave him an extraordinary opportunity—to step into the role of MTN Nigeria’s One-Day CEO.

On this exclusive day, MTN Nigeria executives and staff gathered to witness the leadership transition, celebrating young talent and the beautiful power of education and digital access. 

A Platform for Growth and Digital Literacy

Speaking on the purpose of the mPulse Spelling Bee and the importance of the one-day CEO event, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Marketing Officer, Onyinye Ikenna Emeka, noted the initiative’s impact beyond just a spelling competition.

“The MTN mPulse Spelling Bee is more than a competition; it actually is a gateway for opportunities,” Emeka stated. “This initiative, which we launched in 2018, is targeted at our very active teens within the ages of 9 to 15 helping them to gain the requisite skills required to excel in today’s world. And you would all agree with me that today’s world is quite complex. 

“The initiative is focused on making sure that the students are able to build self-confidence, improve their act of public speaking, build on their digital literacy, and, of course, vocabulary enhancement. Today, we celebrate Ikenna, and we hope this occasion inspires other young Nigerians like himself to dream big, think big, believe they can actually achieve their dreams and do this while going MAD with MTN data.”

She went on to highlight how education, when combined with digital access, brings limitless possibilities, emphasizing MTN’s focus on empowering young minds through technology.

A Young Leader’s Moment in the Spotlight

As the microphone was passed to the one-day CEO, Ikechukwu said: “Being here as MTN Nigeria’s CEO for a day is a dream I never imagined would come true,” Ikechukwu said. “Thank you, MTN, for making this possible. Leading the largest ICT company in Nigeria is not something 15-year-olds think about, but MTN is making it possible for every child out there to dream.”

He recalled his journey, stating that winning the mPulse Spelling Bee was about much more than just spelling words.

“It was about learning, adapting, and embracing knowledge,” he explained. “I believe data is power, and the more we learn, the more we can achieve. MTN has taught me the importance of technology and education working together. Through digital platforms like the mPulse website, students like me can access free learning tools, practice tests, and vocabulary resources that help us go beyond the classroom.”

Speaking about his preparation for the competition, Ikechukwu revealed the rigorous effort and dedication that went into his win.

“I had been preparing for a long time. I first attempted the competition in 2022 and didn’t make it. I tried again in 2023 but still didn’t win. That experience taught me perseverance. I knew I had to work harder,” he shared.

He described the focus required, including studying multiple booklets containing thousands of words and making sacrifices to concentrate on his goal. “It meant giving up a lot of activities to dedicate time to studying. Hard work, determination, and prayer especially made all these possible.”

A Message for the Future

As his one-day tenure drew to a close, Ikechukwu advised: “Go make a difference with MTN data. Use digital resources to learn, innovate, and grow. Leverage technology and never stop learning.”

Beyond the glitz of the one-day CEO title, Ikechukwu seeks to become a software engineer later in future and the mPulse initiative experience has further impacted his dream, making him more determined than ever to pursue his goals.

MTN Nigeria is ensuring youths have adequate access to the right tools, with unshakable determination that drives truly limitless possibilities.

In commemoration of this significant day, MTN will host an exciting online treasure hunt on the mPulse website, with 500 lucky children standing a chance to win shopping vouchers worth 5 million Naira.

The mPulse Children’s Day Treasure Hunt is designed to engage, entertain, and challenge students in a fun and educational manner, making Children’s Day one to remember.

Participants will be required to demonstrate their problem-solving abilities, creativity, and knowledge as they navigate through a series of interactive puzzles, hunting for quotes that end with m-p-u-l-s-e.

For a chance to win in the mPulse Children’s Day Treasure Hunt, interested participants must visit the mPulse website on Children’s Day and click on the “mPulse Children’s Day Treasure Hunt” banner to learn more about the competition and how to participate, search through the general quotes posted on different pages of the mPulse website to find the six (6) quotes that end with the individual letters of m-P-u-l-s-e and input the quotes into the boxes on the Treasure Hunt form provided.

The first 500 respondents to enter the six (6) quotes with mPulse letters in the correct order will win a N10,000 shopping voucher and a mPulse winner badge.

The treasure hunt not only allows students to apply their knowledge, but it also promotes the development of digital literacy.

By using technology as a tool for learning and problem-solving, participants will hone their digital skills and gain valuable insights into the digital world, preparing them for a future in which technology plays a significant role.

The MTN mPulse Children’s Day Treasure Hunt is more than just winning prizes; it is a celebration of every child’s potential and creativity.

The competition that has proven to empower the educational sector and equip primary and secondary school students between ages 9 – 15 years with the resources they need to maximize their potential is the first ever digital spelling bee competition in Nigeria that amassed over 20,000 entries in its first edition.

The 2022 edition will consist of three rounds. The first and second rounds will be held at http://www.mtnonline.com/mpulse  while the grand finale will be held at the MTN Plaza, Falomo Ikoyi on November 19, 2022.

There are lots of fantastic prizes up for grabs this year. The overall winner gets to become the MTN CEO for a day.

The winner alongside the first and second runners-up will be rewarded with cash prizes for themselves and their English teachers.

The champion’s school also gets recognized and rewarded with ultra-modern ICT devices including laptops, smartphones, and modems.

Hurry now to participate at https://mpulse.mtn.ng/home/spellingBee  if you are registered on the mPulse plan.

However, students and schools who wish to migrate to the mPulse plan may text mPulse to 344 or dial *344*1#. Upon registration, participants will have access to practice materials on the website.