The award was given by City People magazine.
Airtel Nigeria Limited was on Sunday named Nigeria’s telecoms company of the year, 2012 by the celebrity magazine, City People.

The telecoms company was selected for “its consistency in pioneering innovation in the telecoms industry and in recognition of its efforts at building a pan Nigeria 3.75G Internet Network coverage.”
In addition, its newly appointed Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Segun Ogunsanya, was named the CEO of the Year, “for his inspirational leadership and past achievements at leading multinational organizations to attaining business success.”

The honours were bestowed on Airtel in Lagos, “for blazing the trail and for revolutionizing the telecommunications sector in Nigeria with groundbreaking value offerings, innovative services and for covering Nigeria with the widest and largest 3.75G Network.”

In its citation, City People Magazine was happy with Airtel for implementing a robust Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, initiative aimed at uplifting underprivileged children in Nigeria.
The Chief Operating Officer/Executive Director of Airtel Nigeria, Deepak Srivastava, received the award on behalf of Airtel, saying the magazine was creating a highly respected awards’ platforms in honour of outstanding achievements in the Nigerian society.

Mr. Srivastava assured telecoms consumers in Nigeria of Airtel’s commitment to maintaining its position as true innovation pioneers in the Nigerian Telecoms Industry.
“At Airtel, we value our customers and this premium we place on customers has influenced most of our big decisions,” he said.

The Vice President, Corporate Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility of Airtel Nigeria, Emeka Oparah, received the CEO of the Year Award on behalf of the Company’s CEO, Segun Ogunsanya.
He described Mr. Ogunsanya’s leadership style as “transformational and inspiring,” adding that Airtel is committed to empowering exceptional Nigerian talent as evident in the company’s appointment of a Nigerian MD & CEO.

“Airtel is in Nigeria for the long haul and it is committed in empowering highly talented Nigerian professionals as the only major telecoms services provider in Nigeria with a Nigerian CEO and a very high representation of Nigerian professionals at the company’s Executive Committee,” he said.
Mr. Opara said the award not only demonstrates Airtel’s commitment to Nigeria, but also an illustration of the company’s confidence in local professionals.