The quiet resignation of the brilliant Chief Executive Officer of the fastest growing telecommunications company in the country, Etisalat Nigeria,. Mr. Steven Evans, in September, may not be unconnected with some power play and office politics.
Mr Stev who pleaded anonymity, before Evans’ resignation, each time there was a forum where the CEO was to attend, there was always a representation, which was becoming more regular than expected.
Though Evans had contributed immensely to the growth of the company and by extension telecoms growth in Nigeria, but the power play from the company’s mother country, the United Arab Emirates, did not allow him to operate as he would have loved to.Evans’ tenure had lapsed but he could still come back on board if everything had been right and the environment conducive enough.
It would be recalled that Etisalat through Evans was able to hit over 15 million subscribers mark from zero subscriber.
Report  have it that Evans has returned to the United Kingdom after having been chief executive officer at Etisalat Nigeria since December 2008.
Evans joined Etisalat after it started full operations in Nigeria.
Etisalat is Nigeria’s fourth largest mobile operator, with just over 15 million subscribers, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission.
Etisalat Nigeria is a unit of the UAE Emirates Telecommunications Corporation.
Etisalat has not made an official announcement regarding the departure of Evans.
All efforts to reach Etisalat Nigeria’s spokesperson, Ms. Chineze Amanfo, on the phone proved abortive.
Amanfo did not pick her calls.
Meanwhile, Etisalat’s Chief Commercial Officer, Matthew Willsher, has reportedly been appointed as acting chief executive.