MTN Nigeria's Chief Executive Officer, Dr Karl Toriola, has firmly rejected demands from Nigerian political leaders to revoke the telecom company's operating licence in retaliation for xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. Speaking on TVC News' Beyond the Headlines programme, Toriola condemned all forms of xenophobia but argued that MTN Nigeria is fundamentally a Nigerian company with deep local roots.
Condemnation of Xenophobia and Violence
Toriola stated unequivocally: "We unequivocally condemn any form of xenophobia, any form of violence, any form of attacks against any community in the world." His remarks come amid rising tensions after repeated attacks on Nigerian nationals in South Africa, prompting calls from politicians such as former APC national chairman Adams Oshiomhole to nationalise MTN Nigeria as a retaliatory measure.
MTN Nigeria's Local Ownership and Workforce
Responding to criticism that MTN should be treated as a South African company, Toriola highlighted the company's Nigerian ownership structure. He noted that MTN Nigeria is listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange with over 201,000 retail investors, and 11 million people hold shares through their pension funds in the company. "We're a Nigerian company through and through," he asserted.
Toriola also emphasised the local composition of MTN Nigeria's workforce, revealing that the company employs only four expatriates across its entire operations, with just one serving on its executive committee. "In the whole of MTN Nigeria... we have a total of four expatriates. In the executive committee of MTN Nigeria, there's only one expatriate," he stated.
Multinational Ownership and Commitment to Nigeria
Toriola argued that labelling MTN as purely South African ignores its multinational shareholding. "The shareholding of MTN South Africa is only 50 per cent Africa. The balance... is from across the world... this label 'South African' is without any scientific substance," he said. He further underscored MTN Nigeria's long-term commitment to the country, announcing plans to begin construction of a new headquarters in Nigeria. "We have nowhere else to go but hope in Nigeria. This is home for us," he added.
Economic Contributions and Leadership Development
The CEO highlighted that MTN Nigeria has produced several executives who now occupy leadership positions across the MTN Group, including the Nigerian chief executive of MTN Benin. He described the company as a significant contributor to both Nigeria's economy and the wider telecommunications group. The full interview aired on TVC News' Beyond the Headlines programme.
