Speaker Profile: Murtala Bello

Murtala Bello is a distinguished professional with over two decades of extensive experience in critical sectors including Telecommunications, Public Service and the Power Industry. Currently, he serves as the Head of Corporate Affairs at Azura Power West Africa Limited APWAL, Where he plays a crucial role in key Stakeholder engagement, management of Business Advisory, Approved Budgets and supports the Commercial and Legal Teams as well as achieve Distribution and Group EBITDA. In that role, he also deputises for the Managing Director.

Murtala's career is marked by deep expertise in building and nurturing strategic partnerships, driving corporate reputation, and effectively managing complex stakeholder and government relations. His comprehensive skill set encompasses corporate communications, consumer perception management, brand building, and project management, all of which have been honed through leadership roles in dynamic and challenging environments.

Beginning his career with the National Youth Service Corps, Murtala was pivotal in inspection, monitoring, and evaluation initiatives, laying a solid foundation for his future success in public relations and government relationship management. His tenure in the telecommunications sector with Vmobile Networks Ltd, which later evolved into Bharti Airtel, saw him rapidly rise to the position of Area Business Manager. His exceptional performance in this role earned him the prestigious Airtel CEO Salesman Award in 2014 recognizing his outstanding contributions to the company.

In 2015, Murtala took on a new challenge in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) by joining Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company as Chief Commercial Officer. Here, he was instrumental in reducing Aggregate Technical, Commercial, and Collection (ATC&C) losses, expanding the customer base, and managing a significant government and stakeholder relations portfolio. Under his strategic leadership, the company saw substantial performance improvements. Murtala successfully managed a portfolio worth 5 billion Naira and led a commercial team of 1,200 employees, while also collaborating on capacity-building initiatives with international organizations such as USAID and Power Africa.

Murtala holds a BSc in Business Administration from Bayero University Kano and an MBA in General Management from Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto. His commitment to continuous professional development is evidenced by certifications from the Airtel Centum Sales University in India, the Luxury Academy, and the School of International Futures (SOIF). Additionally, he is a member of the Institute of Industrialists and Corporate Administrators (MIICA).

In recognition of his leadership and expertise, Murtala has been awarded the titles of Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC) and Certified Management Consultant (CMC). His professional standing is further highlighted by his association with the National Institute of Public Relations (ANIPR) as an Associate. Beyond his corporate roles, he is the Chairman and CEO of mBello Consulting and Communication Nigeria Limited, where he continues to influence and shape the industry through strategic consultancy and communication services.

Murtala is not only a seasoned professional but also a passionate advocate for capacity building and youth development. He regularly engages in leadership training for young professionals, helping to groom the next generation of leaders. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys playing football and is a devoted family man, happily married with children.

Why Murtala Bello?  

Murtala Bello’s unique blend of experience in both the telecommunications and electricity distribution sectors, combined with his leadership in corporate affairs, stakeholder management, and strategic communications, makes him an invaluable speaker for the upcoming webinar. His notable achievements in reducing operational losses, enhancing customer engagement, and driving strategic initiatives in the power sector position him as a leading authority in the field. Webinar participants will benefit greatly from his deep insights and practical strategies for maximizing customer engagement in the electricity distribution industry.