As part of preparation for a new phase of business transformation, the Board of Directors of Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited (EMTS), operating as 9mobile, has announced the appointment of seasoned telecoms expert and technology business leader and advisor; Obafemi Banigbe as the Chief Executive Officer of the company.

He succeeds the outgoing CEO, Juergen Peschel, who will be retained as a Consultant to support the business transformation process initiated under his leadership. This transition is consistent with 9mobile’s tradition of business continuity to ease the start of the holistic business transformation for the company.

Banigbe possesses extensive experience at the C-suite level and brings a profound comprehension of the intricate African business landscape, emphasizing the critical translation of business objectives and commercial imperatives into comprehensive strategies that drive successful execution.

Banigbe commenced his career in the telecoms industry at Celtel now known as Airtel Nigeria as the Director of Operations, preceded by significant contributions at Ericsson across various roles within the Sub-Saharan Africa Market Unit, culminating in the esteemed role of Network Support Group Manager for Access and Transport Networks.

He was previously the Chief Operations Officer at Millicom Ghana, charting the operational strategy for the business in Ghana.

His journey within the Millicom Group spans pivotal positions such as Interim CEO and earlier responsibilities as Chief Technical Officer for Millicom Ghana and Millicom International Cellular Tanzania.

Banigbe’s diverse international experience transverses countries such as the United States and several African countries.

He was previously the Managing Partner and Co-Founder at Silver Rock Technology Services Ghana, a strategic advisory firm specializing in the Telecom, Media, and Technology sectors.

He also served as a Non-Executive Director at Amplitude Telecoms, a tower infrastructure provider in Nigeria. As an Advisory Board member for Telecel Group, Banigbe played a pivotal role in guiding the group’s successful acquisition of Vodafone Ghana.

He further enriches his advisory portfolio by contributing insights to Nsano Group, a leading Fintech platform operating across multiple African countries, and previously lent his expertise to the Kirusa group in New Jersey, USA, providing invaluable guidance on product development and market entry strategies.

Board of EMTS (9mobile) said, “We are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and the positive impact that Obafemi will have on shaping the future of 9mobile. He brings along the vision, passion and years of experience from diverse environments, which will consolidate our priorities to provide superior customer experience and sustained network quality.

“Obafemi is expected to work closely with the Board of Directors and all stakeholders to define credible and achievable long-term business plans, through the introduction of solutions to address the evolving needs of the Nigerian telecommunication market.”

“The Nigerian telecoms industry is characterized by strong competition, but it is also an industry that provides opportunities for different stakeholders.

“I am delighted to join the 9mobile family and I look forward to using my experience and unique value propositions to lead the company in the next exciting phase of its journey. The goal is to build on the existing foundation of the company to create value that will transform the Nigerian telecoms sector. Banigbe said.”

Banigbe holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigeria. He augmented his expertise through the Ericsson Management Development Program, the Advanced Management Program at the London Business School, and culminated his academic journey with an MBA from Manchester Business School, U.K.

As part of its mission to revolutionize education in Nigeria, MTN Nigeria recently hosted a forum of stakeholders within Nigeria’s educational sector to generate collaborative ideas for the sector’s transformation.

Present at the event were the Director, Social Mobilization, Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Ossom Ossom; Chief, UNICEF Lagos Field Office & Head of Private Sector Partnerships, Celine Lafoucriene; Founder, Passnownow.com, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji and Chief Digital Officer, MTN Nigeria, A’isha Mumuni, among other key stakeholders.

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a profound shift in the global approach to learning, revolutionizing the way education is delivered and experienced worldwide. Students and teachers globally had to embrace virtual learning models. Following the pandemic, the digital approach to learning has continued to thrive, with founders developing innovative platforms to enhance learning and knowledge sharing.

Recognizing the current state of the educational sector in Nigeria and the need for transformation that meets global standards, MTN brought together key stakeholders to discuss pressing issues and explore potential solutions and opportunities for collaboration.

In her opening remarks, A’isha Mumuni spoke about the digitization of learning around the world and the need for quality and accessible education. She further stated that MTN is eager to collaborate with these stakeholders to move the Nigerian educational sector forward. “ I cannot deny the frontiers that technology has opened.

At MTN, we believe that everyone deserves the benefit of a modern connected life, and one of these benefits is education; that’s why we’re here. We need to work with the education industry because we are building leaders of tomorrow. If we are unable to educate them using technology, then we’re not doing a good job”.

Keynote speaker, Dr Ossom Ossom, emphasized the need for collaboration between the public and private sector to change the trajectory of education in Nigeria. “This engagement is very important because we should be able to draw the kind of insight that emanates from the private sector and tie that into what the government is doing and see how we can make change”.

A wide range of participants, encompassing policy makers, founders of educational technology platforms, leaders from public and private schools, teachers, parent representatives and even students participated in a series of thought-provoking panel sessions.

This inaugural focus group discussion is a testament to MTN’s commitment of making an impact and causing great change within the Nigerian community.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Brig Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa (NDLEA Chairman/CEO), and Odunayo Sanya (MTN Foundation Executive Director) have joined forces to combat substance abuse in Nigeria. They lent their support during the MTN Foundation’s Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) conference in Abuja.

The conference, themed “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” united key stakeholders and experts to discuss and strategize effective measures against drug abuse among Nigerian youth.

The MTN Foundation’s Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) conference in Abuja saw a convergence of key stakeholders, including representatives from the highest echelons of government, as they united to address the pressing issue of drug abuse among Nigerian youths. The event emphasised the urgent need for both global and local commitment to preventive measures in the fight against substance abuse.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented at the conference by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, highlighted the administration’s commitment to addressing drug abuse. In his address, the President emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts in creating a drug-free society. “The fight against drug abuse is not just a governmental responsibility but a collective one. We must all join hands to protect our youth from the scourge of substance abuse,” He stated.

Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, reaffirmed the foundation’s dedication to combating drug abuse through the ASAP initiative. “Our mission is clear – to reduce the rate of first-time substance abuse among young Nigerians aged 15-25. The strong turnout at this conference is a testament to the power of collective action,” Sanya remarked. She further elaborated on the comprehensive approach of the programme, which includes advocacy walks, stakeholder conferences, and educational campaigns.

Brig Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, called for more substantial investments in preventive measures and early detection. “The Drug Integrity Test initiative aims to establish an anti-drug culture in Nigeria. It targets students, workers, and prospective couples to prevent drug use and enable early intervention, treatment, and rehabilitation”, Marwa stated.

The conference featured a series of panel discussions, workshops, and presentations from experts in the field, providing valuable insights into effective drug abuse prevention strategies. It also served as a platform for sharing best practices and fostering partnerships among government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector.

A highlight of the conference was the discussion on leveraging community-based approaches to tackle substance abuse. Participants emphasised the importance of grassroots initiatives in creating a sense of ownership and responsibility within local communities. By tailoring interventions to meet specific community needs, these efforts can yield more impactful and sustainable outcomes.

The event which held at the State House in Abuja, had in attendance other dignitaries such as Dr. Oliver Stolpe, the outgoing UNODC Country Representative; Prince Julius Adelusi Adeluyi, Chairman of MTN Foundation; Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice amongst others.