Nigeria: Ernest Akinlola named new ntel MD/CEO
Telecoms company, ntel, Nigeria’s first 4G/LTE-advanced network, announced on Wednesday 4 October that the company has appointed Ernest Akinlola as the substantive managing director/chief executive officer of the company, according to a report from Nigerian Communications Week.
Akinlola, a senior executive with over 20 years’ experience in telecoms media and technology, joined One 2 One telecoms operator in the United Kingdom and was instrumental in establishing its internal audit and compliance department.
According to a report by The Punch, the company released a statement which in part read, “As head of the department, Akinlola led the assessment and subsequent launch of Virgin Mobile UK on the One 2 One network, which proved to be the pioneering MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) at the time. Following One 2 One’s acquisition by T-Mobile, Akinlola was a key member on the integration team, leading on commercial strategy and growing the wholesale side of the business to launch several MVNOs focused on specific customer segments. He was also an integral member of the team charged with executing Virgin Mobile’s $1.5bn IPO. Many senior roles followed, including leading the transformational rollout of T-Mobile’s store retail programme.”
It added, “Immediately prior to joining ntel, Akinlola was a strategic consultant to several blue chip organisations, including BlackBerry Nigeria, the World Bank, and most recently, provided strategic oversight to Swazi Mobile in formulating a commercial strategic plan for the successful application of a 4G VoLTE, 3G, 2G licence in Swaziland, South Africa. This has underpinned the impressive growth of Swazi Mobile in less than three months of operations.”
Akinlola is a Fellow of the Chartered Certified Accountants, and holds a MBA from the Manchester Business School with a first degree in Economics from the UEL.
Commenting on his new appointment, Akinlola said, “I am excited to be appointed MD/CEO of ntel, Nigeria’s pre-eminent 4G/LTE network. ntel has tremendous untapped capabilities, which can provide a step change in customer experience for large enterprise, Small and Medium Enterprises and consumers. I look forward to leading the team in driving innovation and delighting our current and future customers.”
“We are pleased to report that there has been no adverse impact on the business operations and the company will like to thank the Chief Financial Officer, Abhulime Ehiagwina, for holding the fort during the transition period,” the firms statement concluded.
By Dean Workman
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