The MTN Foundation states that it has invested over N32 billion in social development initiatives across Nigeria over the last 20 years, reaching more than 3,500 communities in 570 local government areas nationwide.
Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director of the Foundation, disclosed this during an engagement with participants of the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MIP) held in Lagos. The programme, now in its fourth cohort, provides training and capacity-building opportunities for Nigerian media practitioners. According to Sanya, the Foundation’s interventions have directly impacted approximately 33 million Nigerians, with broader awareness campaigns estimated to have reached over 90 million people nationwide. She said the Foundation focuses on capacity building, health, and economic empowerment—sectors identified as critical to national development.
“Our approach is driven by need, not just our core business areas. We invest in health, education, and economic empowerment because these are the areas where we believe we can help move the needle for Nigeria,” Sanya said. Sanya explained that the Foundation’s model is guided by national development priorities, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and MTN’s corporate social responsibility framework.
The MTN MIP, she added, is designed to equip journalists and media professionals with skills beyond reporting. It includes training in leadership, branding, and digital innovation, and features sessions led by MTN executives and sector experts. “Thousands apply, and only a few are selected. That means something. However, what matters most is what they do with this opportunity. The real change happens when participants apply the knowledge to improve their practice and serve the public better,” she said.
Yemi Adebayo, President of the current MIP cohort, described the programme as transformative. “This goes beyond journalism—it offers exposure and skills that many of us do not encounter in the newsroom,” he said.
Since its inception in 2004, the MTN Foundation has launched over 100 initiatives aimed at education, health infrastructure, and youth empowerment. However, some civil society groups have previously called for more transparency in the selection of beneficiary communities and more precise evaluation metrics for such large-scale investments.
Sanya noted that the Foundation welcomes partnerships and independent assessments, stating that impact measurement and community feedback are increasingly shaping its project design. The engagement with MIP Fellows is part of a broader effort by the Foundation to foster ethical reporting, cross-sector dialogue, and inclusive storytelling in Nigeria’s media landscape.
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