MTN Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to investing in Nigeria’s youth ecosystem, backing a youth-led creative and innovation platform, “The Gathering on 100,” with over N45 million to support emerging ideas and startups.
The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, disclosed this on Sunday night at the National Stadium Surulere during the youth-focused initiative. He said the funding reflects the company’s long-term vision of enabling young Nigerians to build and scale innovative enterprises.
Toriola described “The Gathering on 100” as a youth-driven movement designed to bring young people together for 100 hours of creativity, collaboration, and self-expression, noting that it captures the energy and potential of Nigeria’s youth population.
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He emphasized that the country is rich with untapped entrepreneurial talent, adding that MTN’s role is to provide the necessary platform, tools, and support for young people to thrive rather than dictate their direction.
“There is a vast pool of untapped entrepreneurial talent among young Nigerians, and our role is to provide the platform, tools, and support needed for them to thrive, not to dictate direction.”
According to him, the initiative aligns with MTN’s broader “Year of the Youth” agenda, which focuses on empowering young people to express themselves, build businesses, and contribute meaningfully to national development.
“This is not just an event, it is a movement led by a generation redefining opportunities, communities, and career paths. If we do not actively participate in shaping the future, we risk becoming irrelevant to it.”
Toriola also revealed plans to expand the initiative beyond Lagos, with the development of a nationwide network of youth communities and innovation hubs to sustain creativity and enterprise growth.
Also speaking, the Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, Onyinye Emeka-Ikenna, said the company’s support reflects the independent and innovative spirit of Nigerian youths.
“Young Nigerians are increasingly creating their own platforms and opportunities rather than waiting for them, and we are committed to supporting that spirit.”
She reiterated that MTN remains focused on enabling self-expression, collaboration, and opportunity maximisation through its youth-focused initiatives.
Co-creator of the platform, Matthias Kupoluyi, described the initiative as a “group chat brought to life,” where barriers such as funding, exposure, and access are removed to allow young people to create and collaborate freely.
The 100-hour experience, which ran from April 22 to April 26, featured multiple creative hubs including podcast studios, gaming zones, fashion showcases, innovation labs, and live performances, attracting thousands of participants across Lagos.
Beyond its creative impact, the initiative also delivered tangible economic support, as MTN and its partners awarded N45 million to eight startups selected from 30 finalists. Hurpham Africa, led by Sesan Kareem, secured the top prize of N15 million alongside enterprise support, while Coconoto Ltd. and Rava Send emerged second and third, receiving N10 million and N5 million respectively.
The initiative underscores MTN Nigeria’s strategic positioning within the country’s growing creative and digital economy, as it continues to invest in platforms that empower youth innovation and drive inclusive growth.
