IWD: MTN calls for bold action to advance women’s rights, leadership

MTN Nigeria has urged institutions to intensify efforts aimed at advancing women’s rights and encouraging young girls to aspire to leadership positions.

The call was made during the company’s Women @ Y’ello (W@Y) event held in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Monday to commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026.

The event also featured a symbolic leadership moment as 14-year-old Oreoluwa Alayande, winner of the 2025 MTN mPulse Spelling Bee, assumed the role of MTN Chief Executive Officer for a day.

Speaking on the theme, “Give to Gain: Advancing Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls,” MTN Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Karl Toriola, said organisations must go beyond symbolic gestures and provide practical support that enables women to progress in their careers.

“If we are advancing the women’s cause, we must make sacrifices for it,” he said, adding that companies should intentionally prioritise women in leadership development and recruitment.

Toriola noted that MTN is deliberately pursuing greater gender balance across its leadership structure as part of broader efforts to strengthen inclusivity within the organisation.

Delivering the keynote address, Eyitope Kola-Oyeneyin, an Independent Non-Executive Director at MTN Nigeria, observed that mentorship often occurs outside formal arrangements.

Reflecting on her professional journey, she said many of her most valuable lessons came from observing accomplished women whose conduct and decisions provided guidance without structured mentoring relationships.

She encouraged young women to embrace what she described as “learning from afar” by closely observing and drawing insights from those who have walked similar paths.

She also urged experienced professionals to openly share their stories and experiences.

“A lot of things are often caught and not taught. By supporting someone or simply being around them, you can learn so much,” she said.

Also speaking at the event, Lynda Saint-Nwafor, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, said empowering women has far-reaching benefits for society, noting that organisations must maintain sustained programmes that support women across different industries and stages of their careers.

Similarly, Esther Akinnukawe, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Human Resources Officer, described empowerment as a continuous process rather than a one-off initiative.

“It is not just about today’s conversation. It is about continuing the discussion and the journey of inclusion in the organisation. Ask yourself, what can I give today that helps another woman or another person rise tomorrow? When you answer that question, you are truly giving to gain,” she said.

The event formed part of MTN Nigeria’s activities marking International Women’s Day 2026, reinforcing the company’s commitment to promoting gender inclusion and leadership opportunities for women and girls.