MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has appointed five new directors to its board, bringing together expertise in telecommunications, corporate governance, financial services, infrastructure investment and enterprise risk management as the company strengthens its leadership oversight.
The appointments, which take effect from December 1, 2026, include Ibrahim Dikko, a former senior executive at Etisalat Nigeria, and Professor Fabian Ajogwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and corporate governance expert.
The nation’s largest telecommunications company disclosed the appointments in a notification to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and the investing public dated November 3, 2026.
The other appointees are Boye Olusanya, Group Chief Executive Officer of FMN Holdings Limited; Imoni Akpofure, an infrastructure and finance expert; and Lwazi Bam, MTN Group’s Chief Risk Officer.
According to the notification, Dikko and Olusanya will serve as Independent Non-Executive Directors, while Ajogwu, Akpofure and Bam will join the board as Non-Executive Directors. MTN Nigeria said the appointments would strengthen the experience and expertise available to the board, supporting its operations, growth ambitions and future strategic direction.
Ibrahim Dikko, Independent Non Executive Director, MTN. Image credit: Ibrahim Dikko/Linon”>
According to the notification, Dikko and Olusanya will serve as Independent Non-Executive Directors, while Ajogwu, Akpofure and Bam will join the board as Non-Executive Directors. MTN Nigeria said the appointments would strengthen the experience and expertise available to the board, supporting its operations, growth ambitions and future strategic direction.
MTN Nigeria: Ibrahim Dikko brings telecommunications and regulatory experience
Dikko brings more than 30 years of professional experience spanning banking, telecommunications, information and communications technology, and regulatory advisory.
He previously served as Chairman of First Securities Discount House Limited between 2002 and 2012. He also held the position of Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs at EMTS Limited, the company that operated Etisalat Nigeria, from 2007 to 2017.
His experience in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry, particularly in regulatory and corporate affairs, adds sector-specific expertise to MTN Nigeria’s board.
Dikko holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Buckingham and a Master of Laws degree from Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London.
He is a Fellow of the Society of Corporate Governance Nigeria and a member of the Institute of Directors, Nigeria.
Professor Fabian Ajogwu, Non Executive Director, MTN. Image credit: Professor Fabian Ajogwu.
Fabian Ajogwu brings corporate governance and legal expertise
Professor Ajogwu joins the board as a Non-Executive Director, bringing extensive legal and corporate governance experience accumulated over 35 years of legal practice, including 17 years in the Inner Bar. He is a Professor of Corporate Governance at Lagos Business School and Senior Partner at KENNA LP.
Ajogwu has played a role in the development of Nigeria’s corporate governance framework, having assisted the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in drafting the country’s pioneering Code of Corporate Governance.
The MTN Nigeria notification also disclosed that he served on the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Committee on the National Code of Corporate Governance 2018.
His academic qualifications include a PhD in Law from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, an MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona, and law degrees from the University of Nigeria and the University of Lagos.
Olusanya, who currently leads FMN Holdings as Group Chief Executive Officer, brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience across fast-moving consumer goods, agriculture, telecommunications, technology, energy, infrastructure and financial services.
At FMN Holdings, he is leading the transformation of the business into a vertically integrated, consumer-centric food and agro-industrial platform.
His appointment as an Independent Non-Executive Director adds experience in corporate transformation, business strategy and leadership across multiple sectors to MTN Nigeria’s board.
Imoni Akpofure, Non Executive Director, MTN. Image credit: Imoni Akpofure/Linkedin.
Imoni Akpofure adds infrastructure and sustainable investment experience
Akpofure brings nearly three decades of leadership experience across finance, infrastructure and sustainability, with a professional background spanning Sub-Saharan Africa.
Her career includes senior leadership positions at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), CDC Group, now British International Investment, and KINA Advisory.
She currently serves on the boards of Africa50 and the Development Bank of Nigeria, bringing experience in infrastructure investment, sustainable growth and corporate governance.
Her appointment adds financial and infrastructure investment expertise to the board’s collective experience.
Lwazi Bam, Non Executive Director, MTN. Image credit: MTN.
Lwazi Bam brings risk management and international business experience
Bam, the fifth appointee, joined MTN Group on June 1, 2026, as Group Chief Risk Officer.
Before joining the telecommunications group, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Deloitte Africa and Deloitte Southern Africa between 2012 and 2022, overseeing the integration and expansion of Deloitte’s pan-African operations.
During nearly three decades at Deloitte, Bam held several senior leadership positions and served on the Deloitte Global Executive Committee.
He also served as a Non-Executive Director on the boards of Standard Bank Group and Valterra Platinum between 2022 and 2026. He currently serves on the boards of Woolworths Holdings Limited and ZEDA Limited.
Bam is a qualified Chartered Accountant in South Africa and completed the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School.
His appointment brings international corporate leadership and enterprise risk management experience to MTN Nigeria’s board.
The five appointments expand the range of professional expertise represented on the board, combining telecommunications industry knowledge with corporate governance, legal practice, financial services, infrastructure investment, business transformation and risk management.
With the appointments scheduled to take effect on December 1, 2026, MTN Nigeria is set to strengthen the breadth of experience available to guide its board oversight and strategic direction.
Nigeria’s Flamingos have delivered one of the most astonishing performances in the country’s youth football history, overcoming relentless Brazilian pressure to secure a sensational 3-1 victory and qualify for their first-ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final, Sports247.ng reports.
The remarkable statistics from Wednesday’s semi-final in Morocco reveal just how extraordinary Nigeria’s triumph was, with Brazil reportedly registering an overwhelming 41 shots compared to Nigeria’s eight, yet still suffering a humiliating defeat.
The South Americans also dominated the corner-kick count by an incredible 10-0 margin and recorded 11 shots on target against Nigeria’s solitary effort, according to the match statistics supplied.
But football is not decided by statistics alone, and the courageous Flamingos demonstrated that determination, tactical discipline and clinical finishing can overcome even the most relentless attacking pressure.
After surviving a goalless first half, Nigeria stunned Brazil in the 56th minute when Q. Joseph broke the deadlock following an assist from O. Adegbuyi.
The goal transformed the encounter as the Nigerian youngsters grew in confidence despite Brazil’s continued attacking pressure.
In the 71st minute, A. Bashiru doubled Nigeria’s advantage, converting a pass from Joseph to send the Nigerian bench into wild celebrations.
Nine minutes later, Bashiru completed her sensational brace, benefiting from an assist by O. Umejiaku to make it 3-0 and effectively seal Nigeria’s passage into the championship match.
Brazil eventually found a consolation goal through Greise Kelly in the 89th minute, but their late response could not deny Nigeria a historic victory.
For head coach Hakeem Busari and his players, the result represents a monumental achievement, surpassing Nigeria’s previous best finish of third place in 2022.
The Flamingos will now face Japan in Saturday’s final, November 7, with an opportunity to become the first Nigerian side to lift the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy.
Japan booked their place after defeating defending champions North Korea 4-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
Forty-one Brazilian shots, ten corners and relentless pressure could not stop Nigeria’s fearless girls. The Flamingos have made history, and now the world title is within reach!
The Nigeria Police Force has warned political thugs, hoodlums and other individuals involved in the destruction, defacement and removal of campaign posters, banners and billboards belonging to political candidates and parties ahead of the 2027 general elections to desist or face arrest and prosecution.
The police described the growing incidents of destruction of campaign materials across the country as acts of political intolerance, warning that those responsible would be held accountable under the law.
In a statement issued on November 4, 2026, the Force said the unlawful destruction or removal of another candidate’s campaign materials could constitute malicious damage, a criminal offence under Section 451 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 326 of the Penal Code Law, which provides for the offence of mischief.
The police stressed that political differences or loyalty to a particular party did not give individuals the right to destroy another candidate’s property or prevent them from exercising their right to campaign freely.
The Force also warned that political sponsors and individuals who recruit, encourage or facilitate the destruction of campaign materials would be held accountable where evidence establishes their involvement.
According to the statement, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has directed Commissioners of Police across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to take proactive measures to prevent such incidents, investigate reported cases and ensure the arrest and prosecution of suspects found culpable.
The police further maintained that all political parties and candidates, regardless of their affiliations or status, were entitled to equal protection under the law.
The Force urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully and respect the rights of others, warning that political intolerance, intimidation and criminal activities would not be tolerated.
It reiterated its determination not to allow political thugs and troublemakers to turn the country’s political environment into a theatre of lawlessness.
The statement was signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.