Mr. Olu Akanmu, the Chief Marketing Officer of Airtel Networks Limited, has resigned his appointment with effect from yestesday, May 22, 2013.

According to Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, “Mr. Akanmu led the marketing function at a crucial time in the life of our organization and brought his over two decades of marketing experience and a rich knowledge of the telecommunications market to bear on his role as our CMO. On behalf of all of us at Airtel, I wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”

Emeka Oparah, Airtel Nigeria’s Vice President, Corporate Communications & CSR,said Akanmu left “the company to pursue other interests,” adding that “a replacement for Olu will be announced shortly.”

Akanmu joined Airtel effective from the June1 last year and was given the responsibility to lead Airtel’s quest to reclaim market leadership and assist the company realize its primary ambition of being the most loved brand in the daily lives of Nigerians by 2015.

His sudden exit suggests that something must have gone wrong but News Express has no details yet.

Though he originally trained as a Pharmacist, Akanmu later built a reputation as a distinguished marketing professional. He was Managing Director/ Chief Executive, Retail & Consumer Banking, Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank) before crossing over to the telecoms sector with MTN, which he left as General Manager, Consumer Marketing in charge of consumer business strategy before pitching his tent with Airtel.

•Photo shows Olu Akanmu.