In a shocking move, Ahmad Farroukh has stepped down as CEO of Nigerian telecom giant Globacom, just a month after taking the reins. Sources close to the matter confirm that Farroukh’s resignation was linked to significant challenges within the company’s organizational structure.

Industry insiders suggest that Farroukh’s departure was tied to problems with the company’s centralized decision-making process, which has long been criticized. Globacom’s founder, Mike Adenuga, is known to be heavily involved in most decisions, with minimal structural separation between his other business ventures and the telecom giant’s operations.

Farroukh’s experience at more structured organizations like MTN and Airtel may have led him to expect a different level of operational autonomy, which could have contributed to his abrupt resignation.

The move also comes at a time when Globacom is facing heightened regulatory scrutiny, including a significant loss of market share due to non-compliance with government regulations.

The company has also faced ongoing cybersecurity issues, including a high-profile hack in 2023 that exposed the personal data of millions of subscribers. These challenges may have created an environment where Farroukh’s leadership efforts couldn’t make a meaningful impact quickly.

The sudden departure of Farroukh raises questions about Globacom’s ability to navigate its internal challenges and regain its competitive edge. Without significant structural changes, it remains unclear how the company can address the organizational weaknesses that led to Farroukh’s exit.