Tokunbo Wahab, Olabanji, Others Headline Lagos Green Economy Forum

<em>L-R: Lovelyn Okoye, Sustainability Manager, 7Up Bottling Company; Temilade Olabanji, Senior Manager, Sustainability & Shared Value, MTN Nigeria; Korede Oluwole, Convener, Lagos Green Economy Forum and Oluwaseun Agbebi, Manager, ESG and Impact Reporting, MTN Nigeria, during the Lagos Green Economy Forum, held at the Shell Hall MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, on July 23</em>

The Lagos Green Economy Forum 2025, held on Wednesday, July 23 at the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, concluded with MTN Nigeria playing a prominent role as a gold sponsor.

The forum, a collaborative effort with the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, served as a platform for advancing Nigeria’s green economy agenda.

The event brought together a range of stakeholders, including major corporations, SMEs, development partners, and government representatives, all committed to accelerating the transition to a just and inclusive green economy.

Discussions focused on the role of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in climate action and  sustainable business practices.

Hon. Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, represented by Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, General Manager of Lagos Environmental Protection Agency, said: “The most important part of transition is making SMEs businesses understand that sustainability is not just a commitment. It is not just a compliance matter. It is more of an opportunity for them. It is more cost-saving. It helps them drive their engines, their entire businesses in a more sustainable manner.”

Temilade Olabanji, MTN Nigeria’s Senior Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value, said: “At MTN Nigeria, we don’t just procure services, we invest in supplier sustainability and the empowerment of the local economy. Our commitment is to help SMEs view sustainability not as a corporate checkbox, but as a strategic lever for growth, competitiveness, and resilience in an increasingly dynamic global economy.

“Under our ‘Doing it Right’ pillar, one of our key focus areas is Responsible Procurement and Supply Chain, which includes Supplier and Enterprise Development. As part of this initiative, we have begun educating our suppliers on what sustainability truly means for their businesses, not just as a compliance requirement, but as a long-term value creation opportunity.”

Her presentation reinforced MTN Nigeria’s commitment to embedding sustainability across its operations, not only internally but also through strategic supplier engagement, reflecting MTN’s broader vision of contributing to a greener, more inclusive Nigerian economy.

MTN’s presence was further amplified by its vibrant exhibition stands for MoMo and FibreX, which showcased the company’s innovative solutions aimed at promoting digital inclusion and economic empowerment.

The  turnout of MTN’s suppliers and vendors at the forum highlighted the ongoing engagement within its ecosystem and a shared commitment to advancing sustainability.

The Lagos Green Economy Forum 2025 proved to be a resounding success, fostering meaningful dialogue and paving the way for actionable partnerships.

MTN Nigeria’s leadership and active participation at the event reaffirmed its position as a key driver of sustainable development in the country.