#FoundersConnect: Adia Sowho, CMO of MTN Nigeria

Adia Sowho is the Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, a multinational mobile telecommunications company that operates in many African and Asian countries. She is a powerhouse business expert, that is full of "masterclasses" as she says in this episode. Before MTN, Adia acquired a lot of experience working in different capacities at different companies. She started her career as a Radio Frequency engineer in US Cellular, did Consulting in Deloitte, and worked at Etisalat Nigeria for nearly eight years as head of strategy, digital media and digital business. She then moved to Migo, where she was the managing director and VP of growth, then worked in Thrive Agric as the CEO, amongst other vital roles.

In this episode of Founders Connect, Adia Sowho shares her inspiring and audacious story with the world. She talks about the importance of confidence and the role it has played in her life, navigating different roles, self-care, and so much more. Her unique perspective and years of experience make her a delight to listen to and learn from. So pick up a pen, sit down, and listen.

Watch the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2YPn7maqrs

Video timestamps

0:00 - Introduction

1:29 - Adia shares her background.

2:43 - Favourite Memory as a child.

5:14 - Schooling in the UK.

6:19 - Working in the US as an Engineer.

9:39 - Management Consulting at Deloitte.

11:44 - Moving back to Nigeria and working at Etisalat as Head of Strategy and Business.

16:46 - Lessons from Engineering in the US and its contribution to her work at Etisalat.

18:20 - Moving roles (Strategy, Media, Business) in Etisalat and the Reasons behind moving.

21:02 - Lessons from working at Etisalat.

22:49 - Moving to Migo.

23:54 - Differences between working at Migo and Etisalat.

25:20 - Biggest Lesson from working at Migo.

27:36 - How Migo is designed and what makes it stand out.

31:17 - Adia speaks on Mistakes she's made along the way.

32:20 - On things, she would do better if she could go back.

32:57 - Joining Thrive Agric, her passion for Food security.

34:30 - The first thing that one must do to solve a problem.

35:11 - Adia shares how it feels to be the CMO of MTN Nigeria.

36:57 - Leadership and Management in MTN.

38:22 - Values that affect how she works and the jobs she takes.

39:25 - Adia shares what the next 5 years would look like for her.

40:40 - Adia drops lessons.

41:17 - How her diverse experience in different fields ( engineering, finance, growth, strategy) has affected her role as CMO of MTN.

43:49 - How she takes care of herself.

46:24 - Advice for Women and young people who want to do better for themselves.