MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola has assured Nigerians that the telecom giant belongs to the country despite growing xenophobia concerns.
IKEJA, LAGOS — Karl Toriola, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, has said the telecommunications company should not be viewed as a purely South African firm, stressing that it belongs to Nigerians as well. His remarks come amid rising conversations on social media about foreign-owned businesses and xenophobia concerns in Nigeria.
Toriola said MTN Nigeria has deep roots in the country and operates as a Nigerian company with millions of local subscribers and employees. His comments quickly attracted reactions online, with many Nigerians pointing to the firm’s contributions to the economy, including employment and investment in the telecommunications sector.
Several social media users defended the company, arguing that MTN has played a major role in expanding digital connectivity across the country. Others, however, used the opportunity to complain about network quality, data costs and service charges, saying the company still needs to improve its services.
The debate comes at a time when discussions around foreign businesses and their place in Nigeria’s economy have continued to attract public attention. MTN Nigeria remains one of the country’s largest telecommunications companies and serves millions of customers across different states.
The development means MTN Nigeria may continue efforts to strengthen its relationship with customers and reassure the public about its commitment to the Nigerian market. It also highlights the growing expectation among consumers for better service delivery and affordable telecommunications services as competition in the sector increases.
