Senior Manager, External Relations at MTN Nigeria, Funso Aina, has been honoured with the prestigious Outstanding Public Relations and Corporate Communications Personality of the Decade award at the 2025 EDGE Awards, cementing his legacy as one of Nigeria’s most influential voices in communications.
The award, which celebrates over two decades of impact, recognised Aina’s role in shaping narratives, building reputations, and elevating the practice of public relations across journalism, cultural diplomacy, and corporate communications.
With close to 30 years of professional experience, Aina’s career has spanned top editorial roles in Nigeria’s leading newspapers—including Punch, The Nation, and The News magazine—where he covered the Presidential Villa in Abuja and later served on Punch’s Editorial Board. His journalism achievements earned him international recognition, including a fellowship with the Commonwealth Press Union in London and participation in the US State Department’s International Visitors’ Programme.
Before joining MTN Nigeria in 2009, Aina worked as Communications Manager at the British Council, where he spearheaded strategic communications that connected global institutions with local audiences, honing his reputation as a master of cultural diplomacy. At MTN, he has since become a central figure in perception management, stakeholder engagement, and corporate strategy. Known for his calm, analytical style, he is respected for his ability to simplify complex issues into clear, actionable communication.
Reacting to the award, Aina said, “This award wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the exceptional team I am privileged to work with at MTN. I thank you all.”
It was also a big night for MTN Nigeria, which clinched the 2025 Brand of the Year award. Colleagues Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, and Lakinbofa Goodluck, PR Manager, also received top individual honours, further underscoring the company’s dominance in marketing and communications.
For Aina, the recognition is more than a personal milestone; it is also a statement on the evolution of the profession in Nigeria. His career has consistently highlighted communications as a strategic driver of corporate credibility, national progress, and global recognition.
Source: Punch online
