Accountability! A Critical Examination of MTN and Airtel's Non-Compliance
During the recent public hearing on “A Bill to Regulate Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria,” Rep. Oby Orogbu, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), stated that MTN and Airtel may be sanctioned for failing to honour committee invitations. The Chairman noted that the telcos have repeatedly ignored invitations to brief the committee on their CSR initiatives, leaving the committee no choice but to issue a final warning and threaten a warrant of arrest.
CSR REPORTERS frowns at this attitude by the two telco giants. The behaviour exhibited by MTN and Airtel in ignoring the House Committee’s invitations is deeply concerning. While both companies have been at the forefront of CSR and sustainability efforts in Nigeria, their refusal to engage with the committee raises questions about their commitment to transparency and accountability the truest essence of all CSR and sustainability efforts.
Corporate Social Responsibility is not just about implementing projects and initiatives; it is also about being accountable to the stakeholders and communities that these projects aim to benefit. By ignoring the invitations, MTN and Airtel risk undermining the trust that stakeholders place in their CSR efforts. This non-compliance could lead to speculation about whether their widely publicized CSR initiatives are genuine or merely a facade—greenwashing to maintain a positive public image without real, impactful action behind the scenes.
There can never be too much emphasis on the reality that effective community relations and engagement are critical components of genuine CSR. The refusal to answer the committee’s calls may suggest that these telcos are not fully committed to engaging with the very communities they claim to support. Such actions could imply that their CSR efforts are more about media leverage and less about substantial, sustainable development.
The implications of this non-compliance are significant. For Nigeria, where sustainable development and corporate contributions are vital for socio-economic growth, the absence of transparency can hinder progress. For Nigerians, it raises doubts about the authenticity of the telcos’ contributions to their welfare and development. For the corporations themselves, this behaviour could damage their reputation, erode public trust, and possibly attract regulatory sanctions that could affect their business operations.
Therefore, while MTN and Airtel have indeed been recognized for various CSR initiatives, their current stance invites scrutiny. Are their CSR activities truly making the impact they claim, or are they merely rhetoric designed to enhance their corporate image? The refusal to engage with the House Committee on CSR suggests a potential lack of genuine commitment to the principles of corporate responsibility and sustainable development.
Bottomline is clear. For CSR to be effective, it must be transparent and accountable. MTN and Airtel must honour their obligations to engage with regulatory bodies and stakeholders transparently. Failure to do so not only harms their reputation but also hampers the broader goal of achieving sustainable development in Nigeria. It is imperative for these corporations to demonstrate that their CSR initiatives are genuine and impactful, not just superficial efforts for media attention.
