Teenage Spelling Bee Sensation To Become First Female CEO of MTN Nigeria

If anyone had told a young Kate Ene David that she would someday become the Chief Executive Officer of one of Nigeria’s most valuable companies, she most likely would have laughed it off and say “in your dreams”. At best, she would have said “I have a few more years to study, graduate from a tertiary institution, join the labour market and work my way to the top.”

Well, there is no need for speculations now as the 14-year-old teenage resident of Nasarawa will be resuming at the corporate headquarters of MTN Nigeria in Lagos on February 1, 2023, as the One-day CEO of the multi-million naira company.

In a move that is bound to make a lasting impression in the hearts and minds of many youngsters across the country, the young CEO will be welcomed to the Headquarters by the Chief Human Resources Officer, Esther Akinnukawe, and will take a tour of the MTN Nigeria’s corporate head office.

Kate Ene-David earned her place as the One-Day CEO of the ICT giant when she emerged as the winner of the 2022 MTN mPulse Spelling Bee Competition.

She contested against 19 other top finalists and won the top spot when she spelled the word ‘acquiesce’.

In addition to her role as One-day CEO, the SS2 student of intimacy with Christ School received a N2.5m scholarship grant, a laptop and a smartphone.

Her English teacher and school were also presented with a N350,000 grant and state-of-the-art ICT devices respectively. All the 19 finalists also won exciting prizes with the first and second runners-up also walking away with scholarships grants and other gifts.

Kate will no doubt go down in history as one of the youngest CEOs ever in Nigeria. It is a dream for many to work in a blue-chip multinational company, talk less of heading one, but for a 14-year-old to chair the affairs of one even for 24 hours, it is no mean feat. Congratulations Kate Ene David and thanks to the MTN MPulse Spelling Bee and MTN Nigeria for making this possible.