The year 2025 is not yet far gone, but the Nigerian telecommunications industry already looks like a rollercoaster of innovation, competition, and realignment—thankfully, led by resilient CEOs.
The most recent NCC statistics revealed that Nigeria had 219 million active mobile subscribers as of mid-2024, with teledensity hitting 101.4%.
It’s no surprise that mobile data usage is rising meteorically, led by 4G and 5G rollouts. But then, even with these statistics, the leadership of CEOs is what will truly determine whether companies thrive or stumble.
As Africa’s telecom market is projected to reach $66.61 billion by 2025, these CEOs face a common threat: tariff review.
The need to review telecoms tariffs has been trending for quite a long time but became more pronounced since President Bola Tinubu moved to Aso Rock in May 2023.
The reasons are obvious. As Nigeria moves to deepen its digital economy, the need for telecom operators to upgrade their network infrastructure to deliver more data capacity, cannot be over-emphasized. This is key to a sustainable future.
For close to 12 years, telecom tariffs have remained static despite the dramatic increase in operating expenses, which have surged by over 300% in the last 18 to 24 months alone.
We suspect that NCC’s hands might be tied in the sense that President Tinubu’s government might not want an ‘immediate upward review of telecom tariffs due to the backlashes from the famous fuel subsidy removal and the electricity tariff increase – including the ‘Band A-D’ discriminatory service provisioning arrangement. 2025 is also crucial for Nigeria’s economy in terms of development and growth. 2026 is a political year preceding the election year – 2027.
But truth be told, Nigeria’s economy will even sink further if telcos pull the plug.
The President must summon the courage to surmount the pressure to suffocate the telecommunications industry.
It has become essential to realign telecom service pricing structure with economic realities!
Nigeria has ushered in the high-speed 5G era for AI, Cloud computing, Data science applications, and Blockchain era. Nevertheless, more investments are required towards building a more resilient network such that the operators can meet the regulator’s KPIs.
All of these require significant investments which are sourced from the international markets at costs denominated in US Dollars.
In the past three to four years, for instance, the dollar has gone from exchanging for about N500 to over N1,600.
The challenges continue: The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has just authorised the telcos to disconnect nine banks from their USSD platform. Why? These banks have been accused of not paying for services rendered to them by the telcos to the tune of over N200 billion naira.
For the tower companies; a very crucial segment of the market, they are daily faced with issues around fibre cuts, vandalism, inflation and others.
All eyes are on these CEOs. How will the operators continue providing high-quality services and meeting the growing demand for digital connectivity, should the government play down the issue of upward reviews of the tariffs? Tough question, right?
So, Techeconomy presents top 10 telecom CEOs to watch in 2025:
1. Karl Toriola – MTN Nigeria
Under Dr. Karl Toriola’s leadership, MTN has been at the fore of big projects, including the construction of the largest data centre in West Africa and the rollout of 5G services. These initiatives are set to boost the company’s work further in 2025.
The move of MTN into a technology company (Techco) highlights Toriola’s vision for the future, where digital infrastructure and financial inclusion are central to the nation’s economic development.
His leadership has also led to a focus on affordability, addressing the challenges faced by Nigerians in accessing digital services due to the high cost of connectivity.
Added to these, Toriola’s recognition as a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering in March 2024 speaks volumes about his standing in the industry. This accolade, alongside the launch of a $50 million education initiative aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s STEM education, further shows his focus on societal advancement.
Karl Toriola, the CEO of MTN Nigeria, was recognized last year when Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) awarded him an honorary doctorate during the university’s 48th Convocation Ceremony.
This honor, conferred on Toriola alongside other distinguished individuals, reiterated his huge impact on Nigeria’s telecommunications and technological sector.
Toriola’s efforts to create a more inclusive digital economy, combined with his long-standing career in telecoms, have placed him among the top telecom CEOs to watch in 2025.
2. Dinesh Balsingh – Airtel Nigeria
Dinesh Balsingh was appointed CEO of Airtel Nigeria, has already made a huge impact in his short tenure since taking the reins in November 2024. Having previously served as the CEO of Airtel Tanzania, Balsingh brought a wealth of experience and strategic insight to Airtel Nigeria.
His leadership has already garnered recognition, with the company winning two awards at the Lagos Public Relations Industry Gala and Awards (LaPRIGA) for its environmental initiatives and internal communication excellence. These early successes tell us about Balsingh’s goal of corporate social responsibility and building a strong internal culture within Airtel Nigeria.
Balsingh’s vision for Airtel Nigeria focuses on expanding digital inclusivity and ensuring sustainable growth. He has emphasized the importance of delivering quality services while overcoming the challenges of high costs of operations. His leadership is seen in his approach to tariff adjustments, where he has advocated for necessary price increases to maintain the long-term sustainability of the telecom sector.
Even with a prospective impact on consumers, Balsingh has promised that these adjustments will be implemented gradually, ensuring that the burden on customers remains manageable while the company continues to invest in infrastructure and service quality.
With a career spanning over two decades, Balsingh’s experience in telecoms and his knowledge of the Nigerian market placed him as a strong leader for Airtel Nigeria in 2025. His past roles, including Chief Commercial Officer and Marketing Director at Airtel Nigeria, provide him with the operational expertise needed to scale through the complexities of the Nigerian telecom market.
Balsingh’s leadership is expected to drive growth, particularly as Airtel Nigeria focuses on expanding its network and enhancing digital services for underserved areas.
He has also been a vocal advocate for Nigeria’s digital transformation, and his strategic vision aligns with the government’s agenda to ensure economic growth through digital services. He recognizes the increasing demand for digital connectivity across various sectors, such as education, banking, and healthcare, and has committed to strengthening Airtel’s network to meet these needs.
His leadership style, focused on long-term growth and customer-centric initiatives, will likely position Airtel Nigeria as one of the leading telecom operators in the country in 2025.
3. Ahmad Farroukh – Globacom
Ahmad Farroukh, recently appointed as the CEO of Globacom, has over three decades of experience in the telecommunications industry, Farroukh’s leadership aims to lead Globacom through a critical phase of restructuring and growth.
His career began in 1995 with Investcom Group, which was later acquired by MTN. Since then, he has held numerous senior leadership roles, including managing director of MTN Ghana, CEO of MTN Nigeria, CEO of MTN South Africa, and Group CEO at Smile Communications Nigeria Limited.
Farroukh has a great record across various telecom markets in Africa and the Middle East, emphasizing his capability to handle high-pressure environments. In 2024, his appointment came as Globacom faced some challenges, including a 69.2% reduction in its subscriber base, attributed to discrepancies uncovered in a regulatory audit. Farroukh is tasked with restoring subscriber confidence and also implementing strategic reforms to improve governance and operational efficiency.
Globacom has faced high competition in the Nigerian telecom sector, and Farroukh’s experience in turning around struggling telecom companies will help in overcoming these challenges. His tenure at Mobily in Saudi Arabia saw him successfully resolve a nearly $1 billion revenue overstatement issue and renegotiate a $4 billion debt.
His expertise in operational efficiency and restructuring will be needed to revitalize Globacom’s place in the market.
Furthermore, his discipline in transparency and governance aligns well with the Nigerian Communications Commission’s push for more solid industry standards, making Farroukh’s leadership an essential factor in Globacom’s recovery and growth in the new year.
He is expected to entrench the culture of corporate governance at Globacom. Can he?
4. Obafemi Banigbe – 9mobile
Obafemi Banigbe’s appointment as CEO of 9mobile in July 2024 has generated anticipation within the Nigerian telecom industry. Banigbe brings with him an extensive background in telecom operations and business strategy across Africa and the United States.
His career spans influential roles at companies like Celtel (now Airtel), Ericsson, and Millicom, where he shaped operational strategies in Ghana, Tanzania, and several other markets.
In 2024, Banigbe’s leadership is focused on leading 9mobile through its business transformation phase. He is expected to leverage his experience in the telecom, media, and technology sectors to enhance 9mobile’s competitive edge in Nigeria’s highly competitive telecom landscape.
Banigbe’s appointment aims to enhance customer experience, network quality, and long-term strategic planning to meet the evolving needs of Nigerian telecom consumers.
Banigbe’s vision for 9mobile involves solidifying the company’s presence in Nigeria by building on its existing foundation while exploring new opportunities for growth. He emphasized in his statement that he aims to create value that would transform the Nigerian telecom sector.
Banigbe’s expertise, particularly his advisory roles with Telecel Group and Nsano Group, places him well to guide 9mobile through its transformation, ensuring it remains a top player in the market.
His academic credentials, including an MBA from Manchester Business School, complement his professional experience, making him one of the most capable leaders to watch in 2025.
9mobile seeks to enhance itself under Banigbe’s leadership, and the company is expected to introduce innovative solutions and strengthen its place within the competitive telecom market in Nigeria.
Banigbe’s experience in network support, operations, and strategic planning will be required as he drives the company toward delivering superior customer satisfaction and operational excellence.
From Techeconomy’s estimation, 9mobile requires trillions of naira investment to revitalize its operations and rejig the infrastructure. Can Mr. Banigbe convince the investors? Is 2025 the year of 9mobile? Time shall tell.
5. Adrian Wood – ntel
Adrian Wood’s return to the Nigerian telecoms sector as the CEO of ntel aims to help the company rebrand and compete at a higher level within the market. Having previously served as the CEO of MTN Nigeria, Wood’s wealth of experience positions him to drive significant changes at ntel.
After taking the role in January 2024, Wood set out with a mission to raise between $500 million and $550 million to restructure the company and expand its network.
In 2024, Wood immediately set to work by engaging with stakeholders, including the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), which took over ntel’s management. His strategy involved introducing new products and services that had not yet existed in Nigeria’s telecom space. Through meetings with potential investors such as African Capital Alliance, Wood demonstrated his commitment to attracting the capital needed for a major network overhaul.
His vision includes rolling out a 4G/5G network across Nigeria, a move that will reposition ntel in a competitive market and also provide much-needed infrastructure to enhance the country’s digital sector.
In a letter to ntel staff, Wood outlined his long-term plans, including the launch of a new, innovative brand and service combinations that are fresh to the Nigerian market.
In focusing on high-impact initiatives and establishing partnerships with top companies, Wood is laying the foundation for ntel’s scale-up into a top telecoms player, making him one of the most closely watched CEOs in the industry as he works to secure funding and overcome the challenges of the telecom market.
Can Mr. Wood pull ntel out of the woods?
6. Kendall Ananyi – Tizeti
Kendall Ananyi’s leadership of Tizeti pushed the company to new achievements in 2024, placing him as a top-tier telecom CEO to watch in 2025. Tizeti, known for its solar-powered, unlimited internet services, did great when with the launch of its FreeFiber broadband service across Nigeria and Ghana.
This new service aims to continuously bolster internet speed and accessibility, with speeds of over 1Gbps—far surpassing the regional average of 28Mbps.
Tizeti’s expansion into new markets, particularly in Francophone West Africa, shows how focused Ananyi is on growth. In addition to enhancing service delivery in Nigeria, the company extended its reach into Côte d’Ivoire and other regions, addressing digital disparities across the continent.
Under his guidance, Tizeti celebrated its fifth consecutive year of profitability in 2024, making a strong financial performance that allowed the company to distribute its third annual dividend to shareholders.
Ananyi’s vision for Tizeti isn’t just offering high-speed internet; he aims to bridge the digital divide by providing affordable and reliable internet to millions of Africans. The introduction of hyper-mega speeds of up to 1Gbps, combined with the company’s focus on solar-powered infrastructure, makes Tizeti a top company promoting digital inclusion.
Ananyi’s leadership also includes advocacy for regional expansion, where he emphasized the importance of operating across multiple African countries to reduce currency risks and ensure financial stability.
His support for education, particularly his scholarship awards to engineering students in 2023, reveals his desire to build future talent in the tech and telecom sectors.
Is this the year Tizeti will challenge the big four, especially in the data space?
7. Abhulime Ehiagwina – Smile Communications
In 2024, Abhulime Ehiagwina, appointed as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Smile Communications Nigeria, came in with a wealth of experience and strategic leadership. A seasoned financial expert, Ehiagwina has led finance teams in various industries, including telecommunications, infrastructure, oil and gas, and conglomerates.
One of his achievements in 2024 was his leadership in financial management. His ability to implement effective working capital management strategies for telecommunications companies placed Smile Communications for enhanced financial performance and operational efficiency. Ehiagwina’s record also includes overseeing the issuance of a $250 million Eurobond for Helios Towers Nigeria, which was the first non-bank/Oil & Gas Eurobond issuance in Nigeria.
Ehiagwina’s work in corporate governance was acknowledged when he was named IT & Telecom CFO of the Year at the Nigeria CFO Awards, revealing his place as one of the most influential leaders in the telecommunications sector.
Under his guidance, Smile Communications focused on repositioning its operations to improve service delivery, enhancing its reputation and strengthening its operations in the Nigerian market. Ehiagwina’s leadership, along with the appointment of Mann El Amine as the Group Managing Director, aims to help Smile Communications expand its footprint and improve its service offerings.
Before his current role, he held senior positions at NATCOM (NTEL), Helios Towers Nigeria, Etisalat Nigeria, and other telecom companies. His expertise in corporate restructuring, operational improvement, and organizational renewal makes him one of the top telecom CEOs to watch in 2025.
8. Sam Darwish – IHS
Sam Darwish, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IHS, continued to drive IHS’s growth and positioned the company as a top player in the global telecom infrastructure market.
In December 2024, IHS raised $1.2 billion through a bond offering to expand its telecom network across Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. This funding, which included a $100 million commitment from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), will refinance existing debt and also boost IHS’s growth initiatives.
IHS’s focus on sustainability was well obvious in its 2024 achievements, particularly through its focus on digital inclusion and economic development. Darwish led the company to secure strategic partnerships, including a notable deal with IFC, which emphasizes digital inclusion, innovation, and job creation in underserved regions. This partnership will further boost IHS’s work to address connectivity gaps, especially in remote areas across its operational regions.
In July 2024, the company held its Annual General Meeting, where several governance reforms were approved, including changes to its board structure and shareholder engagement policies. These measures aim to enhance corporate governance and align the company’s interests with those of its shareholders.
Another key achievement in 2024 was IHS’s ongoing contract renewals with telecom companies, including MTN and Airtel. These renewals, particularly the multi-year contract extensions with MTN across several African countries, reinforced IHS’s role in Africa’s telecom infrastructure. Again, IHS signed a new 3,950 tenant multi-year roll-out agreement with Airtel in Nigeria, further enhancing its work in the telecom sector.
Even with challenges such as Nigeria’s naira devaluation, IHS continued to prioritize sustainability and growth. In 2024, the company installed solar-powered boreholes in Maiduguri to support flood-affected communities, ensuring environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
Darwish’s strategic decisions, corporate governance enhancements, and focus on expanding digital infrastructure make him one of the most influential telecom CEOs to watch in 2025.
9. Soji Maurice-Diya – ATC Nigeria
Soji Maurice-Diya, who previously served as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Commercial Director, was appointed as the CEO of ATC Nigeria in August 2024. He has a deep understanding of the telecom infrastructure sector and has been indispensable in ensuring the company’s growth.
Maurice-Diya’s experience, spanning various sectors including technology, media, real estate, and telecommunications, places him among the top telecom CEOs to watch in 2025.
Under Maurice-Diya’s guidance, ATC Nigeria has made commendable advancements in sustainability. He led a groundbreaking environmental initiative in collaboration with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), with the goal of planting 6,000 trees across 11 states in Nigeria.
This initiative reiterated his corporate social responsibility focus and his dedication to environmental conservation in the face of the climate change crisis. Maurice-Diya’s leadership philosophy emphasizes operational efficiency and long-term growth, ensuring that ATC Nigeria is well-positioned to expand its platform and resilience in the years to come.
His previous roles have seen him drive growth at Etisalat Nigeria and IBM, where he contributed to the development of strategic business models and market expansion. Maurice-Diya’s academic credentials, including an MBA in Finance and Strategy from the Yale School of Management, add to his profile as a dynamic and visionary leader.
In the new year, Maurice-Diya is expected to further boost the company’s place in the Nigerian telecom sector, focusing on innovation, operational excellence, and environmental sustainability.
10. Oladipo Badru – Pan African Towers
Oladipo Badru became the acting CEO of Pan African Towers (PAT) in November 2024. With nearly two decades of experience in the telecom and finance sectors, Badru brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role. Prior to his promotion, Badru served as PAT’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), where he helped drive the company’s financial strategies and operational efficiencies. His transition into the CEO role follows the resignation of Azeez Amida, who led the company for two and a half years.
Badru’s leadership comes at a time when the telecom tower infrastructure market in Nigeria is highly competitive. PAT, which currently operates 764 active towers across Nigeria and serves over 1,200 tenants, faces competition from industry giants such as IHS Towers, ATC, and Helios Towers.
However, with Badru, PAT is strengthening its marketplace. The company’s recent funding from Development Partners International (DPI) and Verod Capital aims to enhance its expansion plans, including the goal of tripling its tower footprint and addressing Nigeria’s infrastructure gap through strategic acquisitions and partnerships.
Badru’s career spans several high-profile roles, including Director of Finance at Etisalat UAE and Director of Finance and Operations at 9mobile. His experience also includes leadership positions at Helios Towers Nigeria, where he led the company’s growth.
Badru’s financial background, combined with his operational expertise, places him as a key driver of innovation in the telecom infrastructure space. Under his leadership, PAT is expected to continue its transformation, enhancing connectivity across Nigeria and contributing to the country’s digital economy.
Badru’s qualifications, including an MSc from the University of Cumbria and his fellowships with various professional accounting bodies, further highlight his credibility as a seasoned leader in the telecommunications industry.
As he leads Pan African Towers into 2025, Badru seeks to expand the company’s footprint and enhance its work in Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure market.
