The 2025 Edge Awards became a showcase of industry excellence, bringing together Nigeria’s top marketing and communications leaders for an evening of recognition and prestige. Among the standout moments of the night was MTN Nigeria’s recognition as Brand of the Year, a win that reaffirmed its reputation as one of Africa’s most admired and influential technology companies.
The recognition reflects MTN Nigeria’s sustained leadership, customer focus, and transformative role in shaping the country’s digital economy. At a time when businesses are navigating macroeconomic headwinds, the company has continued to expand access, deepen digital inclusion, and build trust with stakeholders across government, business, and society.
Lakinbofa Goodluck, Public Relations Manager at MTN Nigeria, who was recognised as Outstanding Public Relations Personality of the Decade, reflected on the wins: “These awards are proof that consistency and clarity in communication matter. For us at MTN Nigeria, every message is not just about visibility, it is about trust, and this recognition validates that approach.”
The recognition comes on the back of a strong year for MTN Nigeria. According to its Half Year 2025 results, the company posted ₦2.4 trillion in service revenue and ₦83.2 billion profit after tax .
Data revenue rose by 8.6 per cent year-on-year, supported by 44.6 million active data users, while fintech revenue climbed by 21.4 per cent, bringing the fintech customer base to 4.8 million. These results highlight MTN Nigeria’s growing role as both a connectivity provider and a financial inclusion enabler.
Beyond financial performance, the company’s brand strength is defined by its social impact and its people. In 2024, the MTN Foundation invested significantly in youth empowerment, education, and community development. Internally, 374 employees benefitted from leadership development programmes, while 82 high-potential staff advanced through the Aspire Leadership Programme.
At executive management level, the company maintains a near gender balance of 47 per cent women and 53 per cent men, a benchmark for inclusivity in corporate Nigeria.
The Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of Edge, John Ajayi, described the awards as a platform to inspire the industry: “Our ceremonies are a way of recognising and celebrating achievements. They remind us that hard work, service, and dedication are rewarded, and they inspire others to strive for excellence.”
For MTN Nigeria, being honoured as Brand of the Year is more than a moment of recognition; it is a reaffirmation of its long-term strategy to transition from a telecommunications operator into a technology company (techco) powering Africa’s digital future.
From pioneering investments in 5G, fibre broadband, and fintech, to nurturing one of the most inclusive leadership pipelines in corporate Nigeria, the company has consistently demonstrated that a strong brand is built not only on products but also on purpose.
As the applause echoed through the Balmoral Event Hall, the award stood as both recognition of past achievements and a challenge for the future. For MTN Nigeria, the message was clear: the responsibility of being Brand of the Year is not about resting on laurels, but about continuing to inspire trust, lead innovation, and create shared value for millions of Nigerians.