Chineze Gbenga-Oluwatoye, the General Manager of Corporate Communications at MTN Nigeria, is the embodiment of professionalism and grace in the highly demanding telecommunications industry. Known for her infectious smile and captivating oratory skills, she is much more than just a charming presence. A multilingual, thoughtful, and unassuming leader, Chineze has become an invaluable asset to MTN Nigeria, serving as a bridge between traditional corporate image-making and the new-age demands of Generation Z. Her calm, unflappable nature in the face of intense pressure has earned her respect within the company, especially as MTN navigates its challenges.
Her educational background, with a Bachelor’s in Sociology and a Master’s in Social Policy, has proven to be a perfect fit for her roles in communications, especially in shaping the image of MTN. Her expertise has allowed her, alongside her colleagues to do this, effectively.
She started her journey in communications as Head of Communications and Publicity at the Fate Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on entrepreneurship and wealth creation in Nigeria. There, she played a key role in managing the Foundation’s external communication, media strategy, and public relations.
Joining MTN Nigeria in 2004 as the Internal Communications Officer, Chineze played a pivotal role in enhancing communication within the growing company. At that time, MTN was still in its early stages of operation in Nigeria. She helped to ensure that employees were well-informed, aligned with the company’s mission, and engaged in the corporate culture, creating a strong bridge between staff and management.
As she ascended through the ranks, she became instrumental in managing key communication projects, and increasingly taking important responsibilities. One of her significant contributions has been to the management of publications, including Y’ello Magazine. This publication serves as a powerful tool to reinforce the company’s values and culture, while also showcasing its achievements and strategic direction to external stakeholders. Chineze’s meticulous management ensured that the magazine successfully balanced content that resonated with employees while also presenting MTN’s strengths to a wider audience.
Her leadership also extended to other important MTN publications such as Sales Scope, Y’ello Impact, and the MTN Foundation’s Annual Report. Y’ello Impact is a coffee table publication that showcases the various programs and partnership led by the MTN Foundation, focusing on areas such as education, health, technology and youth empowerment. As corollary to this, there is the MTN Foundation’s 20 Anniversary Compendium. There is also a publication called MTN Foundation’s Annual report. These publications have further solidified MTN Nigeria’s position as an industry leader, reinforcing its brand while driving positive internal morale and engaging external partners.
Chineze‘s role has been crucial to MTN Nigeria’s growth and success, helping the company stay at the forefront of telecommunications in Nigeria and Africa. With approximately 289 million subscribers across 19 countries, MTN’s achievements are in no small part due to the remarkable communications strategy that Chineze and her colleagues have expertly crafted and executed.
Kelechi Okorie
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