This year’s theme, “Connecting at the Roots: Connecting Communities Through the Use of Digital Tools”, came alive in communities across the country through tangible acts of service powered by MTN Staff volunteers.

Over the course of 21 days, thousands of MTN Staff, referred to as MTNers, across Nigeria stepped into underserved communities with tools, skills, and empathy. They bridged digital gaps, inspired hope and created sustainable impact at the grassroots level.

“Y’ello Care is more than just a programme. It is our heartbeat inaction,” said Dr. Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria. “Our people are not only connecting calls, but they are also connecting lives. And this year, we have taken that connection even deeper into the roots of our society, where the need is greatest.”

Reflecting on the Y’ello Care 2025 activities, Ayham Moussa, the Chief Operating Officer of MTN Nigeria, applauded the staff of MTN for their dedication and commitment towards making this year’s edition a success. He said, “Thank you for your (MTNers) efforts to make this happen. Beyond the activities that took place during the 21 Days of Y’ello Care, I’ve also seen the values and impact that drive us to do these things.”

Key Highlights from Y’ello Care 2025

•     More than 1million Nigerians reached through physical and digital interventions
• Thousands of devices, including computers and tablets, donated to schools, women-led businesses and community hubs
•     Solar power solutions installed in health centres, classrooms and community facilities
•   Y’ello Boxes are being delivered to underserved areas. These are retrofitted containers fully equipped as digital hubs powered by solar, offering internet access, digital training tools and essential services to support learning, entrepreneurship and community growth
•     Empowerment sessions held on digital literacy, financial inclusion, artificial intelligence, cyber safety and content creation
•   Staff volunteers in states such as Lagos, Kaduna, Enugu, Cross River, Rivers, Plateau, Oyo, Osun and the FCT led training sessions, installed infrastructure and supported communities with hands-on mentoring.

From the community centre in Gwagwalada to markets in Enugu, to artisan training in Ikorodu and secondary school support in Agege, the initiative demonstrated the power of meaningful connection, one community at a time.

Also present was one of the beneficiaries of the recipient communities, Nafisat Abdulrasaq, Founder, Muslimah’s Hangout. Muslimah’s Hangout is a support network for Muslim women focused on self-discovery, personal development, and empowerment.

The group was nominated as one of the communities for the MTN Y’ello Care Initiative 2025, and a specialised financial literacy program was organised for its members.

“This wasn’t just another event – it was a turning point. For many of our members, it sparked a fresh sense of confidence and clarity around money, goals, and growth. The sessions were practical, intentional, and left a lasting impact. We’re grateful to MTN and its Y’ello Care Initiative for recognising our work and investing in our community in such a meaningful way.”

This year’s campaign also focused on long-term impact. Solar-powered installations and skill-building sessions were designed to remain relevant long after the campaign ends.

As the campaign draws to a close, MTN continues to deliver Y’ello Boxes to even more communities in need.

These efforts are part of MTN’s broader mission to deepen digital inclusion and connect people to the benefits of modern technology.

In Nigeria, one such movement is being quietly driven not by executives in boardrooms, but by employees armed with a powerful sense of purpose to go make a difference.

Each year, MTN Nigeria’s staff volunteers set aside their day jobs to participate in Y’ello Care, the company’s corporate social responsibility initiative.

But in 2024, they did more than volunteer — they raised over NGN20 million from their own pockets to renovate a crumbling school block at Iwerekun Community High School, Lakowe.

Iwerekun Community High School, before the intervention, was a picture of broken promise: dilapidated classrooms, leaking roofs, and a lack of basic facilities.

Students struggled to learn in an environment that failed to inspire hope. Today, thanks to the hands-on efforts of MTN employees, the school boasts refurbished classrooms, a steady water supply, and even an inverter system to ensure stable electricity. More importantly, it offers a renewed sense of possibility.

Speaking about the 2024 edition, Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services & Sustainability Officer, MTN Nigeria, said,

“Y’ello Care is the MTN Nigeria ecosystem giving back and contributing time, money, and resources to make a positive impact. Last year, we focused on education in remote areas, supporting three projects that will provide access to quality education for young Nigerians. And we are eager for the 2025 edition.”

Beyond renovations, previous editions of Y’ello Care have touched lives across Nigeria. Employees have organised vocational skill workshops, distributed learning materials through the KNOSK Charity Education Initiative, and mentored students to equip them for the future. From building digital libraries to delivering healthcare services through mobile clinics, MTN’s staff-led projects focus on long-term empowerment rather than short-term charity.

For many MTN volunteers, Y’ello Care is personal. Christiana Agyei, a participant in one of MTN’s earlier vocational training programmes, went from an unemployed single mother to a thriving entrepreneur.

Today, she employs others in her soap-making business, a ripple effect that began with one employee-led workshop.

Over the past 18 years, Y’ello Care has grown into more than a CSR programme; it has become a culture within MTN, a living, breathing part of the company’s identity.

Each initiative is not just a project, but a commitment to building the kind of Nigeria where opportunity isn’t determined by postcode or privilege.

At the commissioning of the Lakowe project, Honourable Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, Commissioner of the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, summed it up simply:

“The education sector worldwide thrives on collaboration and commitment between public and private partners. MTN’s generous contribution is truly recognised, and I express my deepest gratitude for its unwavering commitment to supporting education in Lagos State. This new facility will provide a conducive environment for teaching and learning, enabling our students to reach their full potential.”

As Nigeria faces ever-evolving economic and social challenges, initiatives like Y’ello Care offer a template for how corporations can genuinely transform the communities they serve, not with slogans, but with sleeves rolled up and boots on the ground.

In the end, it’s not about NGN20 million or refurbished buildings. It’s about faith restored, dreams reignited, and the simple, radical idea that change begins with care.

Beyond Education: MTN Y’ello Care’s Broader Impact

While education is a major focus, Y’ello Care has also transformed healthcare and economic opportunities across Nigeria through critical initiatives such as:

Healthcare Interventions: Through the Y’ello Doctor Mobile Medical Intervention Scheme, MTN provided free primary healthcare services to individuals across communities. Since its inception, the initiative has impacted thousands of Nigerians.

Vocational Training & Entrepreneurship Support: In collaboration with partners, MTN facilitated skill acquisition workshops that enabled over 500 Nigerians—including women and persons with disabilities—to launch small businesses.

Over 65% of participants actively applied their new skills, and 50% successfully started businesses.

Scholarships & Digital Libraries: MTN Y’ello Care has established digital libraries and awarded scholarships to students, ensuring that quality education is accessible to as many young Nigerians as possible.

As Y’ello Care continues to grow, MTN remains dedicated to expanding its impact, especially in underserved areas.

By investing in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment, the initiative is building a brighter future for Nigeria, one project at a time.

Themed “Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow”, this year’s edition, which will be for 30 days in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of MTN Group, aims to address educational disparities in underserved rural and remote communities.

“Y’ello Care is about the MTN ecosystem giving back and contributing their time, money, and resources to make a positive impact. This year, we’re focusing on education in remote areas, supporting three projects that will provide access to quality education for young Nigerians,” said Tobe Okigbo, chief corporate services & sustainability officer, MTN Nigeria.

During the opening ceremony, which held at the headquarters, MTN revealed that in 30 days, MTN staff will come together using their resources to rebuild classroom for 996 students at Iwerekun Community High School, Lakowe, Lagos.

“Our first key project is a school. We’ve visited the school; we’ll rebuild a classroom ourselves as MTN staff and we will support two other projects. Our target is towards providing education for the youth of this country,” Okigbo added.

This effort seeks to bridge the educational divide and empower young people to reach their full potential.

In addition, MTNers will be supporting the KNOSK Charity Education Initiative (Study Better Packs) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)’s Safe School Initiative spearheaded by the National Safe School Response Coordination Centre.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” Nelson Mandela famously said. MTN Nigeria firmly believes in this transformative power and is committed to providing access to quality education for all, regardless of location or circumstance.

The company recognizes that education is not just about textbooks and classrooms; it’s about unlocking potential, nurturing dreams, and empowering individuals to shape their own futures.

This commitment is particularly crucial in Africa, where educational disparities continue to hinder progress.

According to UNESCO, over one-fifth of children aged 6 to 11 in sub-Saharan Africa are out of school, representing the highest rate of educational exclusion globally.

This crisis is further compounded by challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to learning materials, and a shortage of qualified teachers. In Nigeria, the situation mirrors these broader trends, with a significant portion of children in rural and remote areas facing similar obstacles to quality education.

The 30-day project, which kicked off on June 1, will unite thousands of MTN employees in a shared mission to make a lasting impact on educational access and quality.

MTN Nigeria remains committed to creating value through initiatives that seek to provide sustainable growth and job creation in the communities they serve.

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.