MTN pays taxes, levies, and now funds training for journalists
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Telecom market leader MTN currently has more than 68.8 million voice subscribers and 34 million data subscribers and has paid N3.5 trillion as taxes and levies to the federal treasury since it began operation in Nigeria in August 2001.
MTN Nigeria Chief Executive Officer Karl Toriola gave the figures at the unveiling of a telecom media partnership, tagged ‘Media Innovation Programme (MIP)’, with Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) in Lagos.
He said MTN has invested over N3.4 trillion in the country, creating about one million Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and the MIP will equip media practitioners to perform their roles better through digital technology.
PAU School of Media Dean Mike Okolo explained that the programme, sponsored by MTN, would take six months and issue certificates at the end of each phase.
The MIP has 20 places for participants, and he urged interested media practitioners to apply for it because it will equip them to perform better.
Waiting for NCC greenlight to roll out 5G
Toriola disclosed that MTN is ready to roll out 5G service and is only waiting for the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) to give the go ahead.
His words: “We are ready. We won the licence through a transparent auction process and we congratulate the NCC on this. We paid the full licence fee a month ahead of schedule.
“Within the information memorandum [IM] of the NCC issued, there was a timeline which indicated that we can launch in the second quarter of 2022.
“We are prepared to launch on the day the IM allows us to do and we will explore with the NCC if they allow, so we are ready, even before that timeline.”
MTN and Mafab Communication won the two slots on offer during the auction that had $197.4 million as reserve price.
The two winners and Airtel submitted bids with an initial bid deposit (IBD) of $19.74 million, 10 per cent of the Reserve Price of the 3.5GHz spectrum, by the close of the bid submission date of 29 November 2021.
MTN and Mafab were required to pay the balance of the bid price of $253.86 million on or before February 24, 2022. MTN beat the deadline. Mafab paid after the deadline.
_______________________________________________________________
Related articles:
MTN pays single largest N618.7b tax to treasury
MTN makes N1.2tr, surpasses Nigeria’s oil revenue
MTN gets final approval for banking service
Full 5G launch requires $1.85tr; telcos get forex priority
__________________________________________________________________
Benefits of MIP fully funded by MTN
The MIP is a six-month, fully funded fellowship for journalists.
MTN said it is designed to support the development of the changing media scene and is open to media practitioners across the spectrum, including print, electronic, online platforms, and social media content creators, according to The Nation.
The course will provide participants with a greater understanding of Nigeria’s technology sector, the nexus between media and technology, and make them better able to adapt to changing realities.
Fellows will also have access to professional resources and mentorship from the SMC faculty.
“We are driven by our belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected world and are driving accelerated growth by leading digital solutions for Nigeria’s progress,” Toriola explained.
“Against this backdrop, the media landscape continues changing at remarkable speeds, boosted by new technologies.
“Thus, it is only fitting that we support developments in the media with our infrastructure and enable capacity building initiatives to enable innovation in media practice.
“It’s a delight to partner with Pan-Atlantic University, who, through their expertise, have contributed to the professional development of the media industry, not only in Nigeria but across Africa.”
PAU Vice Chancellor Enase Okonedo said the School of Media and Communication was established to train professionals who will uphold the highest intellectual, ethical, and professional values that promote creativity, critical knowledge, social responsibility, and the spirit of enterprise.
“The MTN Media Innovation Programme could not have come at a better time for Nigerian media practitioners to imbibe these pertinent values,” he stressed.
Supporting financial infrastructure
Toriola reiterated at the ‘Brunch with Karl’ at Lagos Business School that MTN has spent N3.4 trillion on capital investment and enabled broad socio-economic growth by paying more than N2.5 trillion dividends to shareholders since inception.
More than 30 million Nigerians have benefited from N28 billion investments through MTN Foundation, he said, and MTN connects society and is truly committed to showcasing and developing the boundless talents of people.
“MTN has been enabling broad socio-economic development by supporting financial infrastructure through over 174,500 ATMs and POS for electronic payments, while it has also created alternative payment channels to 9.4 million active customers.
“It has equally provided high-capacity internet for over 160 public and private universities, polytechnics and colleges.”
MTN has committed N28 billion, through Yello Jppe Initiative, to support a broad base of stakeholders, he added, stressing its commitment to its corporate social responsibility which has seen job creation in every council across Lagos.
