14-Year-Old Oreoluwa Alayande Becomes MTN Nigeria CEO for a Day After Winning mPulse Spelling Bee.
Oreoluwa, a student of St. Lawrence Metropolitan College in Ado‑Ekiti, earned the honour after defeating more than 40,000 students who participated in the nationwide competition.
The initiative allows the champion to step into the shoes of the company’s chief executive as “One Day CEO,” giving the student an opportunity to experience corporate leadership while celebrating academic excellence among Nigerian youths.
Speaking during the event, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, said welcoming Oreoluwa into the company’s boardroom reflects the organisation’s commitment to nurturing young talents and promoting education.According to him, the success of the young champion demonstrates the impact of providing the right tools and opportunities for students across the country.
“Welcoming Oreoluwa into the boardroom today is a proud moment for us. Her success proves that when young people are given the right support and opportunities, they can achieve extraordinary results,” he said.
Toriola added that the competition was expanded in 2025 with regional qualifiers held in Abuja, Enugu and Oyo State to ensure wider participation and representation from across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Oreoluwa’s victory also attracted a major reward for her school as part of the company’s effort to support digital education.
As part of the flagship prize, St. Lawrence Metropolitan College received a ₦10 million ICT upgrade, including 10 laptops and 10 5G routers, aimed at strengthening digital learning in the institution and positioning it as a model of technological excellence.
In addition, the student received a ₦5 million educational grant, a laptop and a smartphone, while her teacher was awarded a ₦500,000 cash prize in recognition of mentorship.
Reacting to the recognition, Oreoluwa expressed excitement about the opportunity and the impact the reward would have on her school.
“I am incredibly proud that my victory will leave a lasting footprint at my school. The laptops, 5G routers and ICT grant will place my school in the limelight and inspire other institutions to embrace digital excellence,” she said.
She also noted that the recognition comes during the celebration of International Women’s Day, adding that she was encouraged by the organisation’s commitment to inclusion.
Oreoluwa said she is the third female “One Day CEO” among seven champions produced by the competition so far, describing it as evidence of growing gender inclusivity.
The mPulse Spelling Bee is part of the company’s broader initiative to empower young Nigerians through education and technology while encouraging academic excellence among secondary school students.
Through programmes such as the spelling competition, the telecommunications firm said it aims to create opportunities that inspire the next generation of leaders while supporting digital learning across Nigerian schools.
