By Juliet Umeh

Telecoms giant, MTN Nigeria, has said that it has achieved a tangible impact on its Environmental, Social, and Governance, ESG, strategy.

The telecom service provider highlighted a significant 50.3 per cent reduction in absolute carbon emissions and the expansion of broadband coverage to 95 per cent of Nigeria’s population.

This commitment to ESG principles was the central message during the official presentation of its 2024 Sustainability Report at the Nigerian Exchange Group, NGX, recently.

The event, hosted on NGX’s Facts Behind the Sustainability Report platform in Lagos, marked MTN Nigeria’s inaugural public showcase of its sustainability achievements, positioning it as the first telecom operator in the nation to present on this prestigious platform.

Presenting the report, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Mr. Tobechukwu Okigbo, emphasized that these milestones are a direct result of embedding ESG deeply within the company’s operational and governance framework.

Mr. Okigbo stated: “Our 2024 Sustainability Report clearly demonstrates that ESG is not just an aspiration for MTN Nigeria; it is a lived reality with significant impact.

“Achieving a 50.3 per cent reduction in our carbon footprint across all scopes, while simultaneously extending vital broadband access to 95 per cent of Nigerians, underscores our commitment to both a healthier planet and a digitally empowered society.”

Beyond these key achievements, the report also highlighted MTN Nigeria’s consistent operational excellence, marked by zero regulatory infractions from the NCC for the seventh consecutive year. The company also proudly maintained the highest Net Promoter Score among telecom operators and positively impacted over 600,000 lives through its Foundation initiatives.

Mr. Okigbo further pointed to MTN Nigeria’s proactive adoption of global ESG reporting standards, including IFRS S1 and S2, and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, SASB,  framework, setting a new benchmark for transparency and global comparability in sustainability reporting within the Nigerian telecommunications sector.

Also, the Chairman of MTN Nigeria’s Social, Ethics and Sustainability Committee, Mr. Abubakar Mahmood, affirmed, “Our early adoption of IFRS S1 and S2 in 2023 reflects our deep commitment to operating and governing our business in a truly sustainable manner.”

The report also spotlighted MTN Nigeria’s significant infrastructure investments, including operating the largest fiber optic network in the country and supporting national development through initiatives like the Enugu-Onitsha Road project under the federal government’s tax credit scheme. Regionally, the company is also investing in Africa’s largest Tier-4 data center in Kenya, poised to support artificial intelligence and future technological advancements.

CEO of NGX Limited, Mr. Jude Chiemeke, commended MTN Nigeria’s leadership in integrating sustainability into its core strategy. “MTN’s proactive ESG disclosures and demonstrable results, such as the impressive carbon emission reduction and broadband expansion, serve as a powerful example for corporate Nigeria,” he stated.

CEO of NGX Regulation Limited, Mr. Olufemi Shobanjo, reinforced the importance of sustainability reporting, noting, “MTN Nigeria’s leadership in this area reflects a clear understanding that sustainability is no longer a choice but a fundamental aspect of responsible governance and long-term value creation.”