Karl Toriola, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria and an alumnus of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, returned to his alma mater to receive an honorary doctorate during the institution’s 48th Convocation Ceremony on Saturday, December 14, 2024.
Toriola, a graduate of Electronic and Electrical Engineering from OAU’s Faculty of Technology, was recognised for his transformative leadership in Africa’s telecommunications industry and his dedication to societal progress.
The three-day convocation ceremony, presided over by OAU’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire, saw the graduation of 7,368 students and the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on five distinguished individuals.
Alongside Karl Toriola, the honorees included Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe, a renowned academia and entrepreneur; Daere Afonya-Akobo, a leader in the oil and gas industry; and Dr. Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi, Group Chairman of Mutual Benefits Plc.
The Vice-Chancellor praised the honorees for their exceptional contributions to humanity, citing their efforts to uplift the less privileged and advance societal progress through their talent, financial resources, and material support.
He noted that their achievements exemplify the tenets of excellence and service that OAU instils.
Karl’s recognition reflects his remarkable journey as a business leader. Under his leadership, MTN Nigeria has solidified its position as a telecommunications powerhouse, boasting the largest subscriber base of over 78 million, fostering innovation, expanding connectivity, and driving socio-economic growth. His leadership has also steered MTN’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives, which have significantly impacted education, health, and youth empowerment across Nigeria with over NGN30 billion in investment in Nigerian communities.
Expressing gratitude for the honour, Toriola said, “Returning to OAU, where my journey in engineering began, to receive this recognition is deeply humbling. This award is not just a personal achievement, it is a testament to the collective efforts of family, friends and the entire MTN team.”
Karl Toriola joined MTN in 2006 and has since demonstrated exemplary leadership through various senior operational roles across the Group. These include serving as CEO of MTN Cameroon and Chief Technical Officer of MTN Nigeria.
Prior to his appointment as CEO of MTN Nigeria, Karl served as Vice President for the West and Central Africa Region, overseeing operations in some of the Group’s most dynamic markets.
Beyond MTN, Karl’s career highlights include his tenure as Chief Operations Officer at Airtel Nigeria and a range of roles with Ericsson in Switzerland.
A distinguished professional, Karl is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) and an active member of both the Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria (COREN) and the Institute of Directors (IoD).
The honorary doctorate conferred on him by Obafemi Awolowo University is a recognition of his enduring legacy as a transformational leader, whose visionary leadership continues to inspire the next generation of professionals and entrepreneurs.
