Shettima meets MTN chairman, says Tinubu’s administration remains pro-business

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains pro-business.

Shettima spoke on Friday during a courtesy visit by Ernest Ndukwe, chairman of MTN Nigeria, to the presidential villa in Abuja.

In a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, senior special assistant to the president on media and communications, Shettima said the policies by Tinubu’s administration will, in a short time, begin to manifest for all to see.

During the visit, MTN Nigeria donated N1 billion to the federal government’s food support programme and 4,600 units of digital devices to schools.

Speaking on the donations, Shettima said the gesture by the telecommunications outfit towards the government’s efforts in addressing hardship in the country is worthy of emulation and indicative of its commitment to the development of the Nigerian economy.

“I am hugely proud of your (MTN’s) stability as a company and commitment to the progress of our country,” Shettima said.

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

The vice-president said the donations by the company will be judiciously managed by the ministry of industry, trade and investment and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

On the distribution of 4,600 digital devices, each pre-installed with the U-lesson application, Shettima said the MTN team will liaise with his office to work on the beneficiary criteria and facilitate the distribution of the devices to secondary schools in the six geo-political zones.

‘DONATIONS WILL BOOST GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS’

Shettima expressed confidence that the company’s gesture would significantly bolster the government’s efforts to address the challenges facing the country, particularly in meeting the educational needs of the poor and vulnerable.

He called on other companies in the country to emulate MTN in corporate social responsibility.

In his remarks, the chairman of MTN commended the government for its initiatives aimed at reviving the country’s economic fortunes, which have been rolled out across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).

Ndukwe affirmed the company’s commitment to supporting the current administration, adding that the donations align with MTN Nigeria’s “AMBITION 2025 strategy,” which focuses on supporting the federal government’s strategic initiatives.

“It aims to support the most vulnerable, marginalised, and underserved communities, ensuring no one is left behind through increased collaboration and partnership with the federal government of Nigeria,” the chairman said.

Ndukwe expressed hope that the devices donated by the company will support the government’s objective to increase digital literacy in secondary schools and improve creativity, analytical thinking, adaptability, and students’ access to current information in science and technology.