Name: Theresa Chikwendu
Position: Senior Manager, Corporate Transactions
Company: MTN Nigeria Communications Plc
Country: Nigeria
Sector: Technology/Telecoms
Worked in the current position for: 5 years and1 month.
Years in-house: 5 years and 1 month
An overview of my role is:
I am the Senior Manager, Corporate Transactions at MTN Nigeria Communications Plc (MTN). MTN Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest providers of communications services, connecting over 75 million people in communities across the country with each other and the world. MTN Nigeria is part of the MTN Group – a multinational telecommunications group which operates in 19 countries in Africa and the Middle East. MTN Nigeria is also listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange. At MTN, my role involves: managing the company’s contractual arrangements to achieve operational excellence; ensuring that all practices, policies, and business activities fall within the bounds of the company’s legal policies, amongst other value creation activities from a business perspective. My role also entails leading the MTN Corporate Transactions team on various market-defining transactions both in scale and complexity. I also ensure that my team and I provide legal advisory services from both a commercial standpoint (as trusted business advisors) and legal perspective.
In summary, I provide strategic leadership to the team on legal and business issues ranging from corporate transactions, general commercial transactions, contracting and related matters. I also provide oversight on external lawyers (selection, management, and evaluation) and have budget responsibilities.
The best thing about my current job is:
The most challenging thing about my current job is:
The intricacies. Leading the Corporate Transactions team is a very crucial and sensitive role that can make or mar the company. It requires dedication to work, out of the box thinking, attention to detail, great negotiation and drafting skills, sound decision-making and creative problem solving. Sometimes it can feel like the weight of the company lies on our shoulders and we must do our best to ensure that its interests are well protected. At the end of every quarter, when I look back and take stock of our achievements, I see the need to celebrate our wins, learnings, and resilience. I have also challenged myself to see how every contract, project, or transaction fits into the bigger business context, it is challenging but fulfilling.
My most pivotal career move:
My most pivotal career move has been the decision to become an in-house counsel in a telecoms company after practicing as an M&A lawyer. The decision to go in-house to service one client had its uncertainties and challenges, but I am glad I made the decision. In a company, you get to see all aspects of the transactions particularly the commercial side of things, these are aspects that you have limited visibility on in a law firm. Lastly, you see the overall picture and vision of how every contract, transaction, project impacts the company’s revenue – it is very exciting and fulfilling all at once.
What advice would you give your younger self? (In Video)
The key influencers that have shaped my journey?
My parents for always setting very high standards till it became the norm. My husband for always raising the bar and displaying excellence in his career. I have also been greatly inspired by leading women in different spheres of influence like Prof. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Chimamanda Adichie, Sheryl Sandberg, Carla Harris, Bozoma Saint John, and Oprah Winfrey. Harvard Law School Alums, Beatrice Hamza- Bassey, and Tinuade Awe continue to inspire me in my career particularly as they have been able to transition from legal roles into business roles.
At work, I am influenced by my boss, Tobe Okigbo and my former boss, Nikiwe Tanga.
My favourite pro bono or volunteer activity is:
Mentorship. I enjoy mentoring young people, especially young female professionals and speaking to the next generation of lawyers. It gives me joy to spend my time mentoring and sharing tips on my journey to the younger ones in order to prepare them for the journey ahead. I have also had many opportunities to speak to young professionals (including young lawyers) through platforms like the Young Lawyers Mentoring Club, Nigerian Intellectual Property Club, National ADR Society, Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), Winning Edge with Victor Ukwat, and the JIPCC Mentorship and Internship Programme.
If I were not practicing law, I would probably be:
I would be a broadcaster or a writer. Believe it or not, John Grisham’s books were a strong influence on my decision to ultimately study law. Recently, I have discovered my passion for travel photography, but let’s see how that goes.
What (singular) achievement are you most proud of?
This is a great question which I will answer – personally and professionally.
Personally – Getting nominated as a Finalist for the category of In-House Rising Star Award by the African Legal Award 2022 was an achievement that I am very proud of.
Professionally – A career achievement I am proud of is leading the MTN Corporate Transactions team on the largest commercial paper issuance in Nigeria – the N127 Billion Series 1 & 2 Commercial Paper under the registered N150 Billion Commercial Paper programme. It was a huge milestone for the company and the Capital Market industry as it was the largest Commercial Paper Issuance in Nigeria (at that time). It was great to have been able to pull it off through concerted team effort.
Link- https://guardian.ng/business-services/mtn-issues-largest-commercial-paper-at-127-billion/
What’s something you love doing that you’re terrible at?And what’s something you really do not like doing that you’re great at?
I love singing, but I am no Whitney Houston. I don’t really like public speaking, but I find that it is something I do extremely well.
One cool thing I’ve observed in the legal industry recently?
The intersection between law and technology has been great to watch as more and more in-house legal departments are leveraging technology for business success.
In 5 years-time I’d love to be:
Making an impact, adding value, and improving the profile of the legal department, and the legal community.