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OAU Confers Honorary Doctorate on MTN Nigeria CEO, Karl Toriola

OAU Confers Honorary Doctorate on MTN Nigeria CEO, Karl Toriola

The esteemed Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria was recognized for his outstanding contributions to the telecommunications industry and society at large. The prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) conferred an honorary doctorate on Toriola during its 48th Convocation Ceremony on Saturday, December 14, 2024.

Karl Toriola, who is also an alumnus of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), returned to his alma mater to receive an honorary doctorate.

 

Toriola, a graduate of Electronic and Electrical Engineering from OAU’s Faculty of Technology, was recognised for his transformative leadership in Africa’s telecommunications industry and his dedication to societal progress

 

The three-day convocation ceremony, presided over by OAU’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire, saw the graduation of 7,368 students and the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on five distinguished individuals.

 

Alongside Karl Toriola, the honorees included Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe, a renowned academia and entrepreneur; Daere Afonya-Akobo, a leader in the oil and gas industry; and Dr. Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi, Group Chairman of Mutual Benefits Plc.

 

The honorees, celebrated for their roles in advancing societal progress, included Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria; Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe, renowned academia and entrepreneur; Daere Afonya-Akobo, a leader in the oil and gas industry; and Dr Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi, Group Chairman of Mutual Benefits Plc.

 

Senator Oluremi Tinubu was celebrated as an astute politician and advocate for the underprivileged, particularly women and children. Dr. Ogunbiyi, whose conglomerate employs over 5,000 people, was lauded for his leadership in corporate Nigeria and his contributions to job creation. Professor Adegbulugbe and Daere Afonya-Akobo were similarly recognised for their trailblazing achievements in academia and the oil and gas sector, respectively. Karl Toriola, now leading MTN Nigeria, has made groundbreaking contributions to Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, steering the company to new heights of innovation and service delivery.

 

Vice-Chancellor Professor Bamire lauded the honorees for their exemplary achievements and their dedication to uplifting society. “These individuals conferred with honourary doctorate represent the ideals of excellence, service, and leadership that Obafemi Awolowo University strives to instil in its graduates,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor praised the honorees for their exceptional contributions to humanity, citing their efforts to uplift the less privileged and advance societal progress through their talent, financial resources, and material support. He noted that their achievements exemplify the tenets of excellence and service that OAU instils.

OAU Confers Honorary Doctorate on MTN Nigeria CEO, Karl Toriola

Karl’s recognition reflects his remarkable journey as a business leader. Under his leadership, MTN Nigeria has solidified its position as a telecommunications powerhouse, boasting the largest subscriber base of over 78 million, fostering innovation, expanding connectivity, and driving socio-economic growth.

 

His leadership has also steered MTN’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives, which have significantly impacted education, health, and youth empowerment across Nigeria with over NGN30 billion in investment in Nigerian communities.

 

Expressing gratitude for the honour, Toriola said, “Returning to OAU, where my journey in engineering began, to receive this recognition is deeply humbling. This award is not just a personal achievement. It is a testament to the collective efforts of family, friends, and the entire MTN team.”

 

Karl Toriola joined MTN in 2006 and has since demonstrated exemplary leadership through various senior operational roles across the group. These include serving as CEO of MTN Cameroon and Chief Technical Officer of MTN Nigeria.

 

Prior to his appointment as CEO of MTN Nigeria, Karl served as Vice President for the West and Central Africa Region, overseeing operations in some of the Group’s most dynamic markets. Beyond MTN, Karl’s career highlights include his tenure as Chief Operations Officer at Airtel Nigeria and a range of roles with Ericsson in Switzerland.

 

A distinguished professional, Karl is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) and an active member of both the Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria (COREN) and the Institute of Directors (IoD).

 

The honorary doctorate conferred on him by Obafemi Awolowo University is a recognition of his enduring legacy as a transformational leader whose visionary leadership continues to inspire the next generation of professionals and entrepreneurs.

 

 

 

 

About Bukola Olanrewaju

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