By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
In celebration of International Women’s Day 2026, telecommunications giant MTN Nigeria has called on institutions across the world to strengthen their commitment to advancing women’s rights and encouraging young girls to pursue leadership roles. The call was made during the company’s Women @ Y’ello (W@Y) event held in Ikoyi.
The event, themed “Give to Gain: Advancing Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls,” also celebrated the inspiring leadership journey of 14-year-old Oreoluwa Alayande, winner of the 2025 MTN mPulse Spelling Bee, who symbolically assumed the role of MTN CEO for a day.
Speaking at the event, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, stressed that organisations must go beyond symbolic gestures and provide real, measurable support for women’s growth. According to him, companies should deliberately prioritise gender balance in recruitment and leadership development. He noted that MTN is actively working towards achieving inclusivity across all management levels.
Delivering the keynote address, Independent Non-Executive Director Eyitope Kola‑Oyeneyin highlighted the importance of mentorship, explaining that impactful lessons often come from observing experienced leaders rather than formal programmes. She encouraged young women to embrace “learning from afar,” while urging senior professionals to share their stories to inspire the next generation.
Also speaking, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Lynda Saint‑Nwafor, emphasised that empowering women creates wider socio-economic opportunities. She called for sustained corporate initiatives that support women at every stage of their careers and across industries.
In her closing remarks, Chief Human Resources Officer Esther Akinnukawe described empowerment as a continuous journey rather than a one-time event. She encouraged participants to reflect on how their actions today can help uplift others tomorrow, noting that true progress comes from consistent commitment to inclusion and shared growth.
The event reinforced MTN Nigeria’s position as a corporate advocate for gender equality, mentorship, and leadership development, while inspiring young girls to envision themselves as future leaders in business and society.
L-R: Oreoluwa Alayande, winner of the 2025 MTN mPulse Spelling Bee and MTN Nigeria’s CEO for a day (left) and Esther Akinnukawe, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Human Resources Officer
