MTN Nigeria has shortlisted seven pupils from the Ibadan region for the grand finale of the 2025 mPulse Spelling Bee competition, edging the contest closer to its final phase where the national champion will earn the unique opportunity to serve as “MTN CEO for a Day.”
The finalists emerged over the weekend during the Ibadan Regional Finals, where 20 contestants competed after being selected from more than 500 pupils screened across the Southwest states of Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Kwara, Lagos, Ondo and Edo.
MTN General Manager, Consumer Segment, Mr. Idowu Adesokan, described the regional contest as a “contest of champions,” saying the brilliance and resilience displayed by participants pushed the competition through five rigorous rounds before the seven representatives were chosen.
He explained that the overall national winner would receive over N40 million in benefits, including chairing an executive committee meeting and carrying out select CEO-level duties.
“The overall national champion will receive a N5 million educational grant, a brand-new laptop and smartphone, and the prestigious opportunity to serve as MTN CEO for a day. This is not ceremonial; the winner chairs our executive committee meeting and grants approvals,” he said.
Adesokan added that MTN has upgraded the prize package for the seventh edition, with N500,000 awarded to the champion’s teacher, while the winning school will receive 10 laptops, 10 routers and a N10 million project grant.
MTN Senior Manager, Youths and Teens Segment, Mr. Temilolu Salako, said the mPulse initiative is part of the company’s commitment to enhancing literacy and supporting students and schools through its Corporate Social Responsibility programmes. He confirmed that the national grand finale will hold on November 29 in Lagos, featuring finalists from Abuja, Enugu and other regions.
On her part, Oyindamola Ademosu who is the Teen Segment Manager, lauded the contestants for making it to the stage.
Representing the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Olusegun Olayiwola, a director in the ministry, Mr. Muminni Busari, commended MTN for sustaining the competition over the past seven years, noting its impact on shaping young learners and advancing academic excellence in the state.
One of the Ibadan finalists, Miss Goodness Ewenike, said she hopes to emerge the national champion and experience leading MTN as CEO for a day, adding that the competition had broadened her academic exposure. Another finalist, Master Shilton Temojo, expressed gratitude to MTN for the opportunity and urged other students to embrace similar platforms that promote learning and self-development.
