MTN Appoints Former NCC Boss, Ndukwe as Chairman, ex-ComTech Minister, Omobola as Director

Telecommunications firm, MTN has announced the appointment of Ernest Ndukwe, former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as its new designate chairman, effective September 2, 2019.

The telco notified the Nigeria Stock Exchange on Wednesday of a substantial change in its board structure as Pioneer board chair, Pascal Dozie, is stepping down along with five other directors. Sanni Bello will retire as vice chairman, while Victor Odili, Ahmed Dasuki, Babatunde Folawiyo and Gbenga Oyebode will retire from the position of Non-executive directors of MTN on September 2, 2019.

Acknowledging the vital contribution made by the outgoing Directors over the last 18 years, MTN Nigeria CEO Ferdinand Moolman said:

Ernest Ndukwe

“On behalf of MTN Nigeria, I would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to our pioneering Chairman, Pascal Dozie and the outgoing Directors. Our journey over the last 18 years has been incredible, and it would not have been possible without the initial entrepreneurial spirit of our founding directors, and their unfailing and dedicated support for MTN Nigeria’s vision over the years. I could not have asked for a more supportive, knowledgeable and experienced group of advisors.”

Speaking on behalf of the outgoing Directors Dr Pascal Dozie said: “In 2001, when I made the first call on the MTN Nigeria network, I don’t think anyone envisaged the pace and scale of growth that we, and the broader telecoms sector would achieve over the next 18 years. It is a unique story that we are immensely proud of.

Having served as Chairman of MTN Nigeria for all of those 18 years, I achieved a long -held ambition earlier this year, when MTN Nigeria listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, providing an opportunity for a wider pool of Nigerians to become investors in the company. I cannot think of a better time to be handing over the reins of the company to a new Chairman, and to a new group of distinguished Nigerian Directors. Not only is this in line with best practice, which we are fully committed to as a member of the premium board of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, it is also absolutely aligned to the company’s future.

On behalf of the out-going Directors, I would like to thank the Board and Management of MTN Nigeria for their support over the years and to welcome the incoming directors. They have a hugely exciting future in front of them, and I believe, the opportunity to make the next 18 years even more successful than the last”, he said.

The telecommunication company also appointed other board members to include Mr. Michael Onochie Ajukwu – Independent Non-Executive Director; Mr. Muhammad K. Ahmad, OON – Independent Non-Executive Director; Mr. Andrew Alli – Non-Executive Director; Mrs. Omobola Johnson – Non-Executive Director; Mr. A.B. Mahmoud, SAN (OON) – Non-Executive Director and Mrs. Ifueko Okauru, MFR – Non-Executive Director.

Acknowledging the incoming directors, MTN Nigeria CEO Ferdinand Moolman, said: “I also want to extend a warm welcome to the incoming Directors. The technology industry is fast -moving, and our next 18 years offer a wealth of new and exciting opportunities as a fully digital operator. Their combination of extensive experience across the worlds of technology, finance, regulatory and policy development and corporate governance offers a hugely synergistic set of skills that will be of great benefit to us as we move into a new phase of growth.”