MTN Foundation Commits N4bn to   Community Development

Funmi Ogundare

Chairman of MTN Foundation, Dr. Mosun Belo-Olusoga, yesterday, revealed that the foundation had committed over N4 billion to its flagship “What Can We Do Together” (WCWDT) initiative, as it officially opened nominations for the 2026 phase of the programme. Belo-Olusoga made this known at the launch of the programme in Lagos.

The programme allows communities to identify their needs, while interventions are verified and delivered transparently.

Belo-Olusoga emphasised a shift from traditional corporate philanthropy to a more inclusive, community-driven development model.

The chairman, represented by an independent Non-Executive Director of the foundation, Sir Etim Amana, stated that the initiative was designed to prioritise collaboration with communities rather than imposing solutions on them, stressing that sustainable development must be built on shared responsibility.

According to her, the WCWDT programme challenges the long-standing approach where development is done for communities, instead of advocating for development carried out with communities.

Emphasising the impact of the initiative so far, she disclosed that in the health sector, the foundation had revitalised 181 Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs), providing over 3.3 million Nigerians, particularly in remote areas, with access to improved and dignified healthcare services.

In the education sector, Belo-Olusoga stated that 110 science laboratories had been equipped across the country, enabling students to gain practical knowledge and better prepare for careers in science, engineering, and medicine.

She revealed that the initiative had reached 623 communities across 32 states, describing the figures as more than statistics but real-life transformations affecting mothers, children, and students nationwide.

“As we announce the commencement of the 2026 ‘What Can We Do Together’ initiative, our objective is clear, we are seeking the next set of communities to benefit from upgraded PHCs and modern science laboratories,” she said.

She called on stakeholders to play an active role in bridging the gap between available resources and underserved communities, urging them to mobilise nominations from across the country.

Belo-Olusoga stated that nominations for the 2026 programme opened on May 5 and will close on June 8, 2026, with submissions to be made via the foundation’s official website.

Reaffirming the foundation’s commitment, she stated that access to quality healthcare and education remains critical to achieving a modern and connected society, stating that the sectors form the bedrock of national development.

She urged Nigerians to actively participate in the initiative by nominating deserving communities, while also calling for greater collaboration in addressing infrastructure gaps across the country.

“At MTN, we believe everyone deserves the benefits of a modern, connected life, but that life is impossible without strong foundations in health and education,” she added.

In her remarks, Executive Director of the foundation, Mrs. Odunayo Sanya, said the new phase underscored the foundation’s commitment to community-driven development, adding that Nigerians must take collective responsibility for national progress.

Sanya stated that the initiative, which began in 2015, was designed to move away from traditional top-down philanthropy by involving beneficiaries directly in identifying and shaping development projects in their communities.

“This is our land. Nobody is coming to save us; we have to do it ourselves,” she said, emphasising the need for collaboration in addressing Nigeria’s development challenges.

On the selection process, Sanya stressed that transparency and governance were central to the initiative, stating that thousands of nominations are received nationwide, followed by rigorous screening and field assessments before final beneficiaries are selected.

She also acknowledged the role of MTN subscribers in funding the initiative, explaining that the foundation is financed by a percentage of the company’s profit after tax.

She reiterated that the WCWDT initiative aligned with national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in health and education.

“The numbers are important, but what truly matters are the lives impacted, the mother who delivers safely, the child inspired in a science lab, and the communities transformed,” she added.

Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, pledged the state government’s support for the initiative, describing it as a proven development model capable of closing Nigeria’s infrastructure gap.

Sanwo-Olu stated that the government would partner with the foundation to facilitate community access, support the nomination process across local government areas, and ensure sustainability of all interventions executed within the state.

He emphasised that the initiative went beyond corporate social responsibility, stating that it represents a practical and replicable framework for development driven by partnership, accountability, and community engagement.

“It is not a CSR programme; it is a development model that works,” he said, adding that the initiative has, over the years, provided verifiable, community-level evidence that Nigeria’s development challenges can be addressed through collaboration.

He commended the leadership of MTN Foundation, particularly its Executive Director, Mrs. Odunayo Sanya, for sustaining the initiative over the past 11 years, stating that its impact is evident in improved healthcare infrastructure, enhanced learning environments, and access to clean water across communities nationwide.

The governor also emphasised the uniqueness of the WCWDT model, and reaffirmed the state’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the foundation and other development partners to achieve measurable impact in the lives of citizens.

“At the heart of this initiative is a simple but powerful question, what can we do together? It reminds us that lasting progress is a collective responsibility,” Sanwo-Olu said.