MTN Nigeria Appoints Bukola Ajayi As CIO

MTN Nigeria has appointed Bukola Ajayi as its new Chief Information Officer (CIO), promoting a long-serving technology executive with more than two decades of experience at the telecommunications operator.

Ajayi succeeds Shoyinka Shodunke, who has served as CIO since 2021. She assumes the role after serving as General Manager, Architecture and Engineering, a position she held since July 2019.

The appointment underscores MTN Nigeria’s continued emphasis on developing and promoting talent from within its ranks, particularly for strategic leadership positions.

Ajayi brings more than 20 years of experience within MTN, having held several leadership roles across information systems, enterprise operations, solution delivery, and product development.

Prior to leading Architecture and Engineering, she served as Senior Manager for Enterprise and Customer Experience Operations, where she oversaw critical business systems including enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), billing platforms, mediation systems, reporting, number management, and voucher provisioning.

She also previously served as Senior Manager in the Information Systems Group and as Solution Delivery and Product Development Manager, building extensive experience in enterprise technology, systems integration, and digital service delivery.

In her new role, Ajayi will oversee the information systems infrastructure that supports MTN Nigeria’s operations, including enterprise applications, customer platforms, billing systems, data management, and digital service delivery.

Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Ajayi is a recognised advocate for women in technology and digital skills development. She was named among MTN’s “27 Leading Nigerian Women in ICT” and has spoken at various industry forums, including events organised by the Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NIWIIT) network.

She has consistently championed mentorship, technology skills development, and the advancement of women into leadership roles within the technology sector.

MTN Nigeria, the largest mobile network operator in the country, is listed on the Nigerian Exchange and is led by Chief Executive Officer Karl Toriola. The company serves millions of subscribers and remains one of the largest operating businesses within the MTN Group.

Ajayi’s appointment places her among the most influential technology executives in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, with responsibility for the systems and platforms that underpin the company’s consumer and enterprise services.