MTN Nigeria Sets Gender Diversity Benchmark with 41.4% Female Workforce

MTN Nigeria Communications PLC has announced a remarkable leap in gender diversity, with women now making up 41.4% of its workforce—an impressive rise from 38.7% in 2023. This achievement more than doubles the industry average, positioning the telecom giant as a trailblazer in workplace inclusion within Nigeria’s ICT sector.

According to the company’s recently published 2024 Annual Report, female representation within the executive management team has also climbed to 46.7%, underlining MTN’s dedication to fostering inclusive leadership. This progress aligns with the company’s broader “Ambition 2025” strategy, which prioritizes talent development, innovation, and sustainability.

MTN Nigeria attributes its success in gender inclusion to impactful initiatives like the “Women in Tech” programme, designed to equip women with in-demand skills in Cloud Computing, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, and Cyber Security. Another standout initiative is the “MTN Y’ello Mums Internship Programme”, which supports new mothers returning to the workforce after career breaks.

The company’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, was named CSI Personality of the Year at the Nigeria Tech Innovation & Telecoms Awards (NTITA), while Company Secretary Uto Ukpanah received the Global Corporate Secretary of the Year Award from the Corporate Secretaries International Association (CSIA).

Speaking at a recent conference, Sanya underscored the company’s commitment to responsible business practices:

“Businesses today need to be purpose-driven. While the soul of business is profitability, it is not profitability alone that should matter to stakeholders.”

Ukpanah added:

“Showcasing our corporate values and ethos to the world opens the door for greater collaboration. Governance is evolving, and today’s expectations around accountability are much higher than a decade ago.”

MTN Nigeria’s diversity and corporate responsibility initiatives have earned it multiple recognitions, including the Corporate Responsibility Award and the prestigious Employer of the Year title at the 4th Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) Employers’ Excellence Awards.

Commenting on the company’s cultural evolution, CEO Karl Toriola stated:

“Since launching our culture transformation journey in 2021, employee engagement and organisational cohesion have soared. This transformation fuels not just performance, but also long-term sustainable value creation for all stakeholders.”

As MTN Nigeria continues to advance its inclusive growth strategy, it sets a strong example for corporate Nigeria and the global ICT industry.