Globacom, one of Nigeria’s top telecommunications providers, has announced the appointment of telecom industry veteran Ahmad Farroukh as its new Chief Executive Officer.
This strategic leadership change is part of Globacom’s initiative to reinforce corporate governance and improve operational performance, aligning with the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) recent emphasis on enhanced governance standards in the telecom sector.
Farroukh, a seasoned telecom executive with over two decades of experience, brings a wealth of knowledge and industry insight to Globacom. He began his career in 1995 as the CEO of Investcom Group, a telecom firm based in Lebanon, which later merged with MTN Group.
His career includes influential roles such as managing director of MTN Ghana, regional director for West Africa at Investcom, and CEO of MTN Nigeria between 2006 and 2010.
He also served as CEO of MTN South Africa in 2014 and led Saudi telecom giant Mobily, Saudi Arabia’s second-largest provider, until 2017. Most recently, he was Group CEO at Smile Communications Nigeria Limited in 2019.
Farroukh holds a master’s degree in Business Administration and Accounting from the Lebanese American University and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from New York.
His extensive experience across major telecom companies positions him to bring fresh leadership to Globacom’s operations, steering the company towards greater growth and competitive strength in the Nigerian telecom industry.
Globacom in a statement said the decision to appoint Farroukh “comes at a critical time as the company faces challenges with its subscriber base.”
“A recent regulatory audit by the NCC uncovered subscriber count discrepancies, which led to a sharp reduction in Globacom’s subscriber count by 69.2 per cent within six months, down from 62.19 million in March to 19.15 million in September.
“This change underscores the need for strategic reforms to restore confidence and drive growth in a competitive telecom landscape.”
Farroukh’s role will not only involve revitalising Globacom’s subscriber growth but also guiding the telco through structural adjustments.
The company’s move to constitute a board reflects a deeper commitment to fostering robust governance practices, a key aspect emphasised by the NCC.
