L-R: Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Mr. Ernest Ndukwe and Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday, August 9, 2024

On Friday, Vice President Kashim Shettima gratefully acknowledged the generous donation of N1 billion to the Federal Government’s Food Support Program and 4,600 digital devices for distribution to schools by MTN Nigeria, a leading telecommunications company.

Shettima commended MTN’s philanthropic initiative, recognizing it as a commendable act of corporate social responsibility. He emphasized that MTN’s support aligns with the Federal Government’s efforts to alleviate hardships faced by the Nigerian populace and demonstrates the company’s unwavering commitment to the nation’s economic development.

“I am hugely proud of your (MTN’s) stability as a company and commitment to the progress of our country,” Shettima told the Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Mr. Ernest Ndukwe, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.

In a statement released on Friday, titled “Vice President Shettima Seeks Enhanced Support as MTN Contributes N1 Billion and 4,600 Digital Devices,” the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, disclosed details of a significant meeting.

Vice President Shettima emphasized the judicious management of the donation, highlighting the involvement of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, as well as the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Furthermore, the Vice President outlined a collaborative effort with the MTN team to establish beneficiary criteria and facilitate the distribution of 4,600 digital devices. Each device will be pre-installed with the U-lesson application and distributed to secondary schools across the six geopolitical zones.

He expressed optimism that the company’s initiative would significantly contribute to the government’s efforts in addressing the nation’s challenges, particularly in supporting the educational requirements of the underprivileged and vulnerable populations.

While encouraging other businesses in the country to follow MTN’s example in fulfilling their corporate social responsibility, the Vice President assured the business community that the Bola Tinubu administration remains committed to fostering a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. He emphasized that the positive impact of their policies will soon become evident to all stakeholders.

“We have witnessed a couple of changes in the industry, but you have remained stable and strong. On behalf of my boss, President Bola Tinubu, I want to sincerely thank you for this gesture,” Shettima concluded.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of MTN Nigeria lauded the Federal Government’s endeavors to revitalize the nation’s economic prospects through various initiatives implemented across government ministries, departments, and agencies.

Ndukwe reaffirmed the company’s unwavering support for the current administration, emphasizing that this gesture aligns with MTN Nigeria’s shared value objectives outlined in the ‘AMBITION 2025 strategy,’ which seeks to actively support strategic initiatives undertaken by the federal government.

He elucidated that the N1 billion donation is specifically intended to uplift the most vulnerable, marginalized, and underserved communities, ensuring inclusivity and leaving no one behind through enhanced collaboration and partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Furthermore, he expressed optimism that the devices donated by the company will significantly contribute to the FG’s objective of fostering digital literacy in secondary schools, thereby enhancing creativity, analytical thinking, adaptability, and students’ access to contemporary information in the fields of science and technology.