The trade fair is part of the ongoing annual MTN employee volunteerism initiative – 21 Days of Y’ello Care.

Attended by the First Lady of Lagos State, the exhibition had more than 50 local entrepreneurs who showcased their products to enthusiastic MTN employees and guests.

Expressing her delight, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, the First Lady of Lagos State, said

“It is my pleasure to be here today for an initiative that I consider a solid example of sustained positive impact within our communities – MTN’s 21 days of Y’ello Care driven by MTN staff. I find it particularly gratifying that this year’s programme is shining a spotlight on SMEs. I applaud the Lagos State officials, MTN partners, SMEs, MTN Board, Management and staff, and all other stakeholders present here today for driving and facilitating this noble cause.”

“This is the 16th year of our signature volunteer initiative designed to impact lives and communities around us. This year, we are ‘Empowering Entrepreneurs to Unlock Growth and Job Creation for Communities’ with a focus on leveraging skills, digital and financial tools to drive growth among entrepreneurs. In special focus are our women, youth, and people living with disabilities. We assure all our stakeholders that we remain unrelenting in our efforts to empower entrepreneurs and uplift communities in Lagos and across the country,” said Esther Akinnukawe, Chief Human Resources Officer, MTN Nigeria.

The event also featured a Y’ello Den Pitch-A-Thon in partnership with the Bank of Industry, for business owners to pitch their business expansion plans to qualify for financial and tech support from MTN Nigeria.

Launched in 2007, Y’ello Care seeks to inspire MTN employees, encouraging them to actively contribute their resources (time, financial, and skill set) to community development. 

Since June 1, 2023, MTN employees have trained SMEs owners, particularly persons with disabilities (PWDs), across Nigeria on financial literacy and digital skills whilst providing them with financial support.

This campaign aims to upskill local communities with digital skills training and development, boosting economic activity and involvement.

It supports the delivery of MTN’s Ambition 2025 strategy, and in particular the strategic priority to ‘create shared value’ by fostering digital skills for job creation in Nigeria.

Following the opening ceremony, which was held at MTN Nigeria Head Office, Falomo, Ikoyi, on July 18, MTN Nigeria Employees joined the South African High Commission on a visit to the Halal Children’s Home, Life Camp, Abuja, in commemoration of the United Nation’s (UN) International Nelson Mandela Day.

Encouraging MTNers to participate in this year’s campaign, Chief Corporate Services Officer, MTN Nigeria, Tobechukwu Okigbo asked employees to “Commit to doing the right thing for communities, focusing on impact, to support this year’s theme.”

Speaking about the campaign, the Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya said, “We understand the transformative power of digital innovation and are constantly on the lookout to connect people with opportunities. Our focus with Y’ello Care initiatives this year is to drive more of such connections to create sustainable change.

We aim to get more MTNers on the streets to help pave the road for new opportunities under this strategic direction,” she concluded.

Since its inception in 2007, MTN employees have participated in charitable activities for the welfare of the communities within which they work.

Some projects executed under Y’ello Care include: e-Library set-up in secondary schools, ICT and business skills programmes, and career development training for youth across Nigeria