By Ayomide Otitoju
Funso Aina, Senior Manager of External Relations at MTN Nigeria, has been named the Outstanding Public Relations and Corporate Communications Personality of the Decade at the 2025 EDGE Awards, recognising his lasting impact on Nigeria’s communications sector. The accolade celebrates over two decades of excellence in shaping narratives, building corporate reputations, and advancing public relations across journalism, cultural diplomacy, and corporate communications.
With nearly 30 years of experience, Aina is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished communications professionals. Prior to joining MTN Nigeria in 2009, he held senior editorial positions at Punch, The Nation, and The News magazine. His career achievements include a fellowship with the Commonwealth Press Union in London and participation in the U.S. State Department’s International Visitors’ Programme. He also served as Chief Correspondent at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, and later as a member of Punch’s Editorial Board.
Aina further honed his expertise in strategic communications at the British Council, where he managed initiatives connecting global institutions with local audiences, strengthening his credentials in cultural diplomacy. At MTN Nigeria, he has become a pivotal figure in perception management, stakeholder engagement, and business impact assessment, known for his strategic clarity and analytical approach.
Commenting on the award, Aina said: “This award wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the incredible exceptional team I am privileged to work with at MTN. I thank you all.”
The recognition coincided with a successful night for MTN Nigeria, which also clinched the 2025 Brand of the Year award. Colleagues Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, and Lakinbofa Goodluck, PR Manager, were honoured with top individual awards, highlighting the company’s leadership in marketing and communications.
Aina’s career, marked by a belief that communications is a strategic driver of corporate credibility and national progress, has helped elevate PR in Nigeria from a support function to a key strategic asset. His work has influenced both MTN Nigeria’s corporate reputation and the wider communications industry.
Among his many accolades, Aina has been recognised as: Outstanding Achiever in Media Relations – Africa Digital Awards (2023); Innovator of the Year – SABRE Awards, Frankfurt (2023), becoming the first African and Black recipient; Most Influential PR Practitioner in Nigeria – LaPRIGA Awards (2022); Best in Crisis Communications Management – LaPRIGA Awards (2021); and Best Communications Specialist (Telecoms) – BJAN Marketing Awards (2019).
