12-Year-Old Rules as MTN Nigeria CEO for a Day After Becoming Spelling Bee Champion

Cursory: Daniel Nkanu Victor, a 12-year-old, became MTN Nigeria’s One-Day CEO after winning the 2023 MTN mPulse Spelling Bee, earning a N2.5 million scholarship, and other befitting prizes. See full details…

A 12-year-old Nigerian student, Daniel Nkanu Victor of Intimacy with Christ Secondary School, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, has been appointed as the honorary One-Day CEO by MTN Nigeria.

This acknowledgment is a result of Daniel’s remarkable victory in the 2023 MTN mPulse Spelling Bee competition. With confidence and a bright smile, Daniel assumed the role of CEO, temporarily taking charge of Africa’s largest telecommunications network on January 31st at 9 am, succeeding industry veteran Karl Toriola.

“I’m honoured to be here today. Leading Nigeria’s largest telecommunications company, even just for today, is a very special experience for me and I want to thank my family, my teachers and everyone who cheered me on while I prepared for this competition. I look forward to learning a lot,” said Daniel Nkanu Victor, MTN Nigeria One-Day CEO, addressing MTN executives and media representatives.

Welcoming Daniel during the symbolic handover, Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria said,

“For a day, Daniel becomes a symbol of what we strive to achieve – a future where young Nigerians lead the way in technology, innovation, and social progress.His presence at the helm is a powerful reminder of the responsibility we carry and the opportunities we can create.”

“His journey is a message from MTN to every young Nigerian – we see your potential, we hear your voices, and we believe that you have the power to shape a better, more inclusive tomorrow. Initiatives like the Spelling Bee and the One-Day CEO are our way of saying, ‘We believe in you,’ and are committed to providing platforms for you to shine, learn, and become the leaders of tomorrow.”

In his role as CEO, Daniel engaged with key members of MTN Nigeria’s executive team and met with the media, confidently discussing key initiatives, including the introduction of additional mPulse education data bundles.

Adia Sowho, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria reflected on the significance of the initiative, saying, “We are delighted to recognise Daniel’s hard-earned victory.His success is a collective triumph for his family, his school, his teachers, and all of us who believe in the power of education.

Daniel, who surpassed over 30,000 participants in the MTN mPulse spelling bee, attends the same school as last year’s winner, underscoring the school’s consistent commitment to nurturing such talent.

Along with his honorary CEO title, Daniel received a N2.5 million scholarship grant, a laptop, a smartphone, and an MTN goody bag.

His English teacher and school were granted N500,000 and modern ICT devices, respectively, in recognition of their integral role in his success.

Speaking on the day’s events, Esther Akinnukawe, Chief Human Resources Officer at MTN Nigeria, said, “Today has been not only significant but also deeply inspiring. It’s heartening to see the impact of our initiatives on students like Daniel and the wider community.

“At MTN, we see investing in young people as a strategic investment in our nation’s future. By nurturing young minds like Daniel, we are building a generation of leaders who will drive human capital development and socio-economic growth.”

The MTN mPulse Spelling Bee is a self-improvement initiative crafted by MTN Nigeria to foster digital literacy and academic brilliance, aiming to contribute to the advancement of the country’s educational sector.

Credits: ALLSCHOOL, intelregion

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