At MTN Nigeria, Farroukh out, Goschen in... as coy pumps in additional $1b to boost operations

Goschen in...

Farroukh out... I am going higher.. he seems to be saying!

By Prince Osuagwu

MTN Nigeria yesterday, announced an investment potfolio of about $1 billion to shore-up its operations in the country and maintain its market leadership. This is even as the company’s parent body, MTN Group has appointed the CEO of MTN Ghana, Brett Goschen to replace Ahmed Faroukh who is now the Vice President in charge of the West and Central Africa (WECA) region.
Faroukh was CEO of MTN Nigeria for almost five years and recently acting VP for the WECA region, which includes Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Congo Brazaville, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Liberia and Benin.
Dropping the hint yesterday, Corporate Services Executive of MTN Nigeria, Mr Wale Goodluck said that MTN considered Nigeria a very important market to the existence of the company and would do everything possible to inject funds that can stabilize operations here.
According to him, the company do not only see the Nigerian market as a prime market to its economy but also value the Nigerian professionals working in the company and therefore from time to time, elevate them to decision making executive positions.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Mike Ikpoki who was MTN Nigeria’s Sales and Distribution Executive, now replaces Goschen, as the CEO of MTN Ghana. Ikpoki joined MTN Nigeria as Regulatory Advisor in 2001 and was promoted to General Manager: Regulatory Affairs in 2004.
According to information from MTN, Goschen, a chartered accountant, has provided strategic, operating and financial leadership to MTN’s large operations in West Africa in his capacity as Chief Financial Officer of MTN Nigeria from 2002 to 2006 before he was appointed MTN Ghana CEO.
Goodluck revealed that the $1 billion investment MTN planned for Nigeria would be spread across all operations of MTN in the region including strenghtening its network, data services, optimisation and making sure that radiowaves of its base stations are always on the right position to provide quality services for its teeming subscribers.
On the changes as announced by MTN Group, the  President and CEO Mr Phuthuma Nhleko congratulated the executives on their appointments adding that “Faroukh’s contribution to MTN Nigeria as well as to the WECA region has been most valued and appreciated. Goschen’s wide experience and in-depth knowledge of MTN Group and MTN Nigeria makes him aptly equipped to lead MTN Nigeria.
“Through his exposure to various facets of the business, Ikpoki has gained extensive experience in public policy, stakeholder engagement, as well as exposure to sales and distribution and commercial operations at a senior level