MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has received commendations at  Nigeria2Equal Gender Leader Awards organised by the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for its contributions towards fostering gender equality in the workplace.

This was at an awards ceremony that was held in Lagos recently.

MTN Nigeria clinched the prestigious Outstanding Gender Leader Award, and also emerged as the top-performing company across all categories.

The foremost Telco also won Family-Friendly Workplace Excellence, Gender Equality Champion and Company Leadership Gender Diversity Awards.

MTN Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, expressed delight at the recognitions, stating, “Gender equality sits at the heart of our identity and organisational culture. Our mission at MTN Nigeria is to build not only a successful business but an inclusive one. This award underscores our belief that diversity is our strength.

“We believe that a diverse workforce catalyses innovation and fuels our passion for driving change and enabling growth. Together, we are shaping a future where gender equality is not an aspiration, but a reality.”

These recognitions were also based on MTN’s stellar performance, benchmarked against criteria set in the IFC’s Gender Equality in Nigeria’s Private Sector report.

Also in her reaction to the recognition, Chief Human Resources Officer, MTN Nigeria, Esther Akinnukawe, noted, “At MTN Nigeria, we understand that an empowered woman means an empowered community and, ultimately, a more prosperous nation. That’s why we don’t merely create policies to foster gender equality; we ingrain them into our cultural DNA.

“We believe in nurturing an environment where the potential is recognised and rewarded, irrespective of gender. This award reminds us that our dedication to gender equality makes a difference, and it motivates us to do even more for the betterment of our society.”

“Gender equality sits at the heart of our identity and organisational culture. Our mission at MTN Nigeria is to build not only a successful business but an inclusive one.”

Speaking about the Gender Leader Awards, Ms. Dahlia Khalifa, IFC’s Regional Director for Central Africa, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, said: “As we celebrate the accomplishments of these organizations who have shown outstanding leadership in closing the gender gaps within their own organizations, we acknowledge the power of collaboration and the transformative impact that specific, measurable, and time-bound commitments can have on achieving gender parity in Nigeria’s private sector.

“IFC remains resolute in our commitment to sustain the momentum and scale up our efforts for a more gender-balanced, prosperous future.”

In May 2023, MTN Nigeria signed on to the United Nations Women Empowerment Principles (UN WEPs) to continue in its drive for gender equality dimensions of the 2030 agenda. Today, nine of 16 MTN Executive Committee members are female.

The Gender Leader Awards is an offshoot of the Nigeria2Equal project, implemented to generate and increase awareness of more opportunities for women in leadership, management, and employment in the Nigerian private sector.

MTN Nigeria’s victory at the awards event underscores its track record of championing gender equality in the workplace.