Airtel Africa Plc has announced the appointment of Mr. Olusegun Ogunsanya as the new Managing Director and CEO effective from the 1st of October, 2021.
This is according to a notification signed by the company’s secretary, Simon O’Hara and sent to the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX), as seen by naijabusiness.com.ng
According to the notice, Segun will succeed Raghunath Mandava, as Managing Director following the latter’s decision to retire from the board by 30th of September, 2021. In light of this, Segun will be responsible for the overall management of the firm’s operations in the continent.
Profile
Mr Segun Ogunsanya is an electronics engineer and a chartered accountant with over 25 years of experience. Prior to the recent appointment, he was the MD/CEO of Airtel Nigeria having risen through the ranks to the aforementioned capacity since joining in 2012. Segun had also served in various leadership roles in reputable brands such as Coca-Cola, Nigerian Bottling Company among others. He was a former Managing Director at Coca-Cola in Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya and had also served in similar capacity in the Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd (Coca-Cola Hellenic owned).
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Airtel Africa also disclosed that its former MD/CEO, Mr. Mandava will be available to advise the Chairman, the Airtel Africa Board and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for a 9-month period.
Commenting on the recent development, the Chairman of Airtel Africa Plc, Sunil Bharti Mittal said: “We are delighted to appoint Segun Ogunsanya as the Group’s next Chief Executive Officer. He has displayed significant drive and energy in turning around the Nigeria business by focusing on network modernization, distribution, and operational efficiency. It is this commitment, together with his industry experience, strategic vision, constant customer focus and proven record of delivery that will enable him to continue to deliver our strategic objectives and to lead the Group in the next stages of its development.
” On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Raghu Mandava for being instrumental in successfully leading and transforming Airtel Africa into a powerhouse telecommunications and mobile money company. Throughout that time, Raghu has worked tirelessly first to repair and then to strengthen Airtel Africa’s business and to champion our stakeholders. As we look forward to Segun assuming his new role in October 2021, we do so from a position of great strength as a result of Raghu’s highly effective stewardship. Raghu will retire from the Board with our very best wishes and sincere appreciation for everything he has achieved.”
On the other hand, the firm also disclosed that it has appointed its Chief Financial Officer, Jaideep Paul into its board as an Executive Director. Consequently, Mr. Paul will join the Board of Airtel Africa plc with effect from 1 June 2021.
