MTN Boosts Support For Youth-Led Businesses With Fresh Investment Drive

According to Ireporter Online, MTN Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening investment in the country’s youth ecosystem, backing a youth-led creative and innovation platform known as “The Gathering on 100” with over N45 million allocated to support emerging ideas and startups.

The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, made this known on Sunday night at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, during the youth-focused initiative supported by the telecom company. He said the funding underscores MTN’s long-term vision of enabling young Nigerians to build and scale innovative enterprises.

He noted that “The Gathering on 100” is a youth-driven movement designed to bring young people together for 100 hours of creativity, collaboration, and self-expression, adding that it reflects the energy and potential of Nigeria’s youth population.

Toriola stated that there is a vast pool of untapped entrepreneurial talent among young Nigerians, stressing that MTN’s role is to provide the platform, tools, and support needed for them to thrive rather than dictate direction.

He further explained that the initiative aligns with MTN’s “Year of the Youth” agenda, which focuses on empowering young people to express themselves, develop businesses, and contribute meaningfully to national development. According to him, the company is intentionally positioning itself within Nigeria’s growing creative and digital economy.

He described the programme not merely as an event but as a movement led by a generation redefining opportunities, communities, and career paths. He added that MTN risks becoming irrelevant to the future if it fails to actively participate in shaping it.

Toriola also revealed plans to expand the initiative beyond Lagos, with a nationwide network of youth communities and innovation hubs aimed at sustaining creativity and enterprise development across the country.

Also speaking, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Marketing Officer, Onyinye Emeka-Ikenna, said the company’s support reflects the independent and innovative spirit of Nigerian youths, who are increasingly creating their own platforms and opportunities rather than waiting for them.

She reaffirmed MTN’s commitment to supporting youth-led initiatives under its “Year of the Youth” campaign, noting that the company remains focused on enabling self-expression, collaboration, and opportunity maximisation for young Nigerians.

Co-creator Matthias Kupoluyi described the platform as a “group chat brought to life,” where barriers such as funding, exposure, and access are removed to allow young people to freely create, collaborate, and explore opportunities.

The 100-hour experience, which ran from April 22 to April 26, featured creative hubs including podcast studios, gaming zones, fashion showcases, innovation labs, and live performances, drawing thousands of participants across Lagos.

Beyond creativity, the initiative also delivered economic impact, as MTN and its partners awarded N45 million to eight startups and innovative ideas selected from 30 finalists. Hurpham Africa, led by Sesan Kareem, won the top prize of N15 million alongside enterprise support, while Coconoto Ltd. and Rava Send secured second and third positions with N10 million and N5 million respectively.