14-Year-Old Becomes MTN Nigeria’s CEO for a Day

In a powerful display of youth leadership and academic excellence, 14-year-old Oreoluwa Alayande officially assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria for a day. Oreoluwa, a student of St. Lawrence Metropolitan College, Ado Ekiti, earned this seat after emerging as the national champion of the 2025 MTN mPulse Spelling Bee, outperforming over 40,000 participants from across the federation.

This year’s competition marked a significant milestone with the expansion of regional qualifiers held in Abuja, Enugu, and Oyo. This strategic move ensured that the finale was a true reflection of Nigeria’s diversity, providing a level playing field for brilliant minds from every corner of the country.

Reflecting on the significance of the day, Dr. Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, noted that the initiative is a blueprint for the future of Nigerian leadership. “Welcoming Oreoluwa into this office today is a reminder of why we invest in young people,” Toriola stated.

“By expanding our regional reach this year, we ensured that this opportunity was accessible to every child. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, seeing a young woman lead this organisation – even for a day – reinforces our mission to break glass ceilings. We are going beyond giving prizes; we are building a legacy of inclusion and digital literacy that will live on in her school and her community for years to come.”

Beyond the individual honours – which include a ₦5 million scholarship grant, a brand-new laptop, and a smartphone – Oreoluwa’s victory brings change to her school. In line with MTN’s commitment to sustainable education, St. Lawrence Metropolitan College received a ₦10 million flagship reward.

This reward includes:

• A state-of-the-art ICT Lab equipped with 10 high-end laptops.

• MTN 5G Broadband routers with complimentary data to facilitate digital learning.

• A ₦500,000 cash prize for the winning teacher to honour their mentorship.

This initiative is designed to leave a lasting footprint, positioning the winning institution as a model of digital excellence that other schools across the nation can emulate.

Oreoluwa’s tenure as CEO coincides with the global celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026. She stated: “As we celebrate International Women’s Day this month, I am deeply moved by how MTN promotes women’s inclusion and equality. I am the third female one-day CEO out of seven champions so far – that is a clear sign of how inclusive the competition is.”

MTN Nigeria continues to champion women through initiatives and internal policies that drive towards gender balance in leadership. By providing platforms like the mPulse Spelling Bee, MTN is actively dismantling barriers, proving that the next generation of female leaders is already here.