MTN Nigeria Champions Female Leadership at Women's Day Event, Calls for Action
Institutions across the globe have been strongly urged to deepen their commitment to advancing women and to actively inspire young girls to pursue leadership roles. This powerful call was made during MTN Nigeria's Women @ Y'ello (W@Y) event, which was held to commemorate International Women's Day (IWD) 2026. The event also celebrated the remarkable leadership journey of 14-year-old Oreoluwa Alayande, the winner of the 2025 MTN mPulse Spelling Bee, who took on the symbolic role of MTN CEO for a day, highlighting the potential of youth in leadership.
Moving Beyond Symbolic Gestures
Speaking on the event theme, "Give to Gain: Advancing Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls," MTN Nigeria's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Karl Toriola, emphasized that organizations must move beyond symbolic gestures to provide tangible and meaningful support for women's advancement. "If we are advancing the women's cause, we must make sacrifices for it," he stated, stressing that companies should intentionally and deliberately prioritize women in leadership development and recruitment processes. According to him, MTN is working diligently and strategically to achieve gender balance across all leadership levels, ensuring a more inclusive corporate environment.
The Power of Mentorship and Observation
Delivering her keynote address, Eyitope Kola-Oyeneyin, Independent Non-Executive Director at MTN Nigeria, highlighted that impactful mentorship does not always stem from formal or structured relationships. Drawing from her own extensive career experiences, she noted that many of her most valuable lessons came from observing senior women who inspired her through their actions and behaviors, rather than through formal programmes. She encouraged young women to embrace "learning from afar" by actively listening, watching, and applying insights from those who have traveled the path ahead. She further urged experienced women to share their stories and experiences at every opportunity. "A lot of things are often caught and not taught. By supporting someone or simply being around them, you can learn so much," she explained, underscoring the informal yet powerful ways knowledge is transferred.
Empowerment as a Continuous Journey
Also speaking at the event, Lynda Saint-Nwafor, MTN Nigeria's Chief Enterprise Business Officer, underscored that empowering women opens broader opportunities and benefits across society as a whole. She stressed the critical need for sustained corporate initiatives that support women at every stage of their careers and across all industries, ensuring long-term progress rather than temporary measures. In her remarks, Esther Akinnukawe, MTN Nigeria's Chief Human Resources Officer, reminded participants that empowerment must be seen as a continuous journey rather than a one-off activity. "It is not just about today's conversation. It is about continuing the discussion and the journey of inclusion in the organization. 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, highlighting the ongoing nature of efforts to foster gender equality and support.
