Funso Aina has been appointed Senior Manager, External Relations for ICT giant, MTN Nigeria.
With over 22 years work experience in journalism, cultural diplomacy and telecommunications, Funso is a result-oriented professional with varied competencies and hands-on experience in public relations, corporate communications, media relations, public affairs, perception/stakeholder/reputation/issues and crisis management.
Based on his experience and academic background, Funso takes PR beyond nomenclature – to a demonstrable understanding of the strategic importance of targeted communication and its use in the achievement of business results and organisational efficiency.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, from (University of Ilorin, 1992) and a Masters degree in International Relations (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 1998). He is an Associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).
Funso joined MTN Nigeria in January 2009, and until his latest appointment, he was the company’s Public Relations Manager where he had oversight responsibility for MTN’s reputation/perception management; stakeholder management; media relations and PR leveraging for all activities; corporate sponsorships and events management.
Prior to joining MTN, Funso was the Communications Manager of British Council, UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. Before then, he was at different times, Punch newspapers’ Chief Correspondent in Aso Rock (Presidential Villa), Abuja; Foreign Affairs Correspondent and a member of the newspaper’s Editorial Board.
Other portfolios that Funso has previously held include Assistant Editor with The Nation newspapers and Senior Reporter with Independent Communications Network Limited, publishers of The News, Tempo magazines and PM newspapers.
Funso’s remarkable reportorial skill was recognized by the US State Department in 2003 when he was invited to the US under its prestigious International Visitors’ Programme. The Commonwealth Press Union extended a similar gesture to him when it admitted him to its Fellowship in London in 2005. He once did job shadowing in British Council, India. He also had a stint as an intern in a UK newspaper, Portsmouth News. Indeed, Funso has benefited from other extensive training opportunities in and outside Nigeria.
In his new role, Funso will provide deep insight on strategy and drive targeted engagement with MTN’s critical stakeholders. He will provide support in the business’ strategic approach towards enhancing its corporate reputation, particularly as regards engaging and managing critical stakeholders.
Funso is married with three children. He has an eclectic taste in music. Listens to Jazz, Soul, Higher Life, R&B, Blues, Agidigbo, Dadakuada, Awurebe and Juju.
He enjoys reading, writing, listening to music and watching movies. He attended Saint Joseph Secondary School, Agege where he got his O/levels; and King’s College, Lagos for A/levels.