Smile Communications' Chief Corporate Services Officer Tobechukwu Nkemdilim Okigbo has joined MTN Nigeria as the company's new Corporate Relations Executive.

MTN said Okigbo would provide insight on strategy and drive targeted engagement with critical stakeholders.

Funso Aina, public relations and protocol manager at MTN Nigeria, said, "Reputed for his exemplary work ethic and result-oriented approach to work, the new appointee is well-positioned to add significant value to MTN as he brings an excellent track record and vast experience to the role."

Okigbo has 30 years professional experience in the legal and telecoms sectors. He attended the University of Maiduguri in northern Nigeria and secured an MBA degree from the University of Liverpool in England.

According to Aina, Okigbo began his career in 1990 as a Legal Counsel at Eddie Ntephe and Co. Since then he has worked as a consultant to the federal government, an advisor to several businesses, a volunteer business consultant and political editor of a newspaper.

He is a Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR UK) certified resolution professional, was Manager (North) at the Negotiation and Conflict Management Group and led the team that set up the Abuja Multi-Door Courthouse.

He embarked on his journey into telecoms in 2005 with the legislative team at V-mobile Nigeria (now Airtel) where he rose to lead the network's government and environmental affairs unit.