Chief executive officer of MTN Nigeria Karl Toriola on Saturday received a honorary doctorate from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) for his transformative leadership in Africa’s telecommunications industry and dedication to societal progress.
Under Mr Toriola’s 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 responsibility (CSR) initiatives which have significantly impacted education, health and youth empowerment across Nigeria with over N30 billion in investment in Nigerian communities.
Toriola holds a bachelor of science degree in electronic and electrical engineering from OAU.
At the university’s 48th convocation ceremony, OAU chancellor the Etsu Nupe Brig. Gen. Yahaya Abubakar (retd) conferred the honorary degree to Toriola.
Other honorees were the group chairman, Mutual Benefit Assurance Plc, Akinade Ogunbiyi; first lady Oluremi Tinubu; founder, PE Energy Limited, Daere Afonya-Akobo and chief executive officer, Green Energy International Limited, Prof Anthony Adegbulugbe.
A total of 7,368 students graduated from 13 faculties in the university.
Two hundred and fifteen (215) students made first class honours, second class upper division was 2,197, second class lower division was 2,691, third class honours upper credit was 61, lower credit, 33, pass, 62, making a total of 6,015 students for classified degrees.
For unclassified degrees, 13 students had distinction, 59 had pass with distinction, 154 had pass with credit, while 169 had pass, making a total of 395 for unclassified degrees.
For postgraduate degrees, 74 students bagged postgraduate diplomas, while 708 and 176 students bagged master’s degrees and doctor of philosophy (PhD) respectively.
