In line with its resolve to engage the brightest and the best talent for its Nigerian operations, Nigeria’s foremost telecommunications company, MTN has announced the appointment of Funke Opeke, an engineer, as Chief Technical Officer (CTO).

Opeke, a veteran of highly competitive environments, is coming to MTN with over 20 years experience as telecommunications executive.

Accomplished and result-oriented, Opeke worked in several major telecommunications companies in the United States. Her most recent appointment prior to her return to Nigeria was as Executive Director, Performance Assurance, with Verizon Communications, one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world.

Opeke joined Verizon Communications as Executive Director in 2001. Between 2001 and 2005, she managed different portfolios including the Business Architecture and implementation of Verizon’s global backbone network; Global Managed Network Services, and Performance Assurance for the Wholesale Services Line of Business.

The new MTN CTO had held senior positions at several other companies in the United States including Telcordia Technologies (Bellcore), Piscataway; AlliedSignal Corporation, Morristown; PA Consulting Group, Highstown; and RCA American Communications, all in New Jersey.

With a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from the Obafemi Awolowo University (we even graduated from the same department only that I did graduate 21 years after she did 😀 ), Ile-Ife, in 1981, Opeke proceeded to Columbia University, New York, United States of America, where she obtained a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1984.

As MTN CTO, her responsibilities include the planning and management of the entire MTN Nigeria Network. She has stated that her mission is to focus on operational excellence, and ensure that MTN remains the service provider of choice in the Nigerian market. She has also committed herself to building up the skills of young Nigerian engineers.

Amina Oyagbola, MTN Corporate Services Executive, emphasised that Opeke’s appointment is evidence of MTN’s commitment to recruit the best Nigerian brains and to contribute to the development of Nigerian human capital. She added that Opeke’s experience in the telecommunications industry would add value to MTN’s network services, and give an additional boost to the company’s commitment to providing exceptional services.