Fourteen-year-old Miss Oreoluwa Alayande, who served as MTN Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for one day, has called for greater opportunities for girls to access education, digital skills, and leadership development.
Alayande made the call on Wednesday in Lagos after assuming the symbolic role of one-day CEO at MTN Nigeria’s headquarters as the winner of the 2025 MTN mPulse Spelling Bee Competition.
It was reported that Alayande, a student of St. Lawrence Metropolitan College, Ado-Ekiti, emerged as the winner of the national competition.
The contest attracted more than 40,000 students from the six geopolitical zones and earned her N10 million in educational support for her school, as well as the opportunity to serve as CEO for a day.
She said empowering girls with digital skills and confidence would prepare them for the future and enable them to contribute meaningfully to society.
“Empowering young girls with digital skills and confidence will help them prepare for the future and create a lasting impact in society.
“The future belongs to those who are ready to embrace technology and never stop learning,” she said.
According to her, the competition and learning resources provided on the MTN mPulse platform helped her improve academically beyond the classroom.
Alayande said the opportunity to serve as CEO for a day and interact with the company’s leadership had boosted her confidence and inspired her career ambitions.
“This initiative has changed my life. It has given me confidence, exposure, and the skills to continue pursuing my dreams as a student,” she said.
She encouraged students across the country to take advantage of the free educational tools on the platform to enhance their academic performance.
Earlier, the Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, Mrs. Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, said the competition was expanded in 2025 to ensure wider participation by students nationwide.
According to her, regional contests were organised across the six geopolitical zones before finalists advanced to the grand finale.
She said the initiative underscored the company’s commitment to education and youth empowerment.
“One of the areas that we at MTN will continue to remain committed to is education and youth empowerment, as well as providing platforms that allow young people to express their dreams,” she said.
Ikenna-Emeka added that hosting Alayande as CEO for a day was symbolic as it coincided with activities marking International Women’s Day.
Also speaking, the Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer of MTN Nigeria, Mr. Babalola Oyeleye, described Alayande as an exceptional talent who remained calm under pressure during the final stage of the spelling competition.
He said her ability to spell the highest number of words correctly within a limited time earned her the top prize and the opportunity to lead the organisation for a day.
It was also reported that Alayande, who enjoys public speaking and crocheting, aspires to become a software engineer.
