MTN Nigeria says its 25-year journey reflects the growing influence of technology on sports development and talent discovery across the country.

The company’s chief financial officer, Modupe Kadri, stated this on Monday during MTN’s 25th anniversary celebration at its headquarters in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Mr Kadri spoke at the inauguration of the MTN Y’ello Street Museum, a project highlighting the impact of telecommunications on Nigeria’s development.

She said MTN had helped generations of young talents progress from grassroots competitions to international recognition through sustained investments and partnerships.

“Beyond telecommunications, our investments and partnerships in sports have contributed to greater visibility for Nigerian athletes and sporting events,” she said.

Mr Kadri noted that mobile technology and digital platforms had transformed fan engagement by bringing supporters closer to their favourite teams and competitions.

“Today, technology is playing an increasingly important role in sports development, from digital broadcasting and social media engagement to data analysis. It is also enhancing performance monitoring and enabling online talent scouting across different sporting disciplines,” he said

According to her, improved connectivity offers opportunities to identify, nurture and expose Nigeria’s vast pool of young athletes to global platforms.

“The broader lesson from MTN’s 25-year journey is that technology is no longer simply about communication. It has become a vital tool for economic growth, youth development, entertainment and sports,” he said.

She added that technology was helping connect Nigerian talent with audiences, investors and opportunities around the world.

Mr Kadri said MTN’s journey also mirrors Nigeria’s transformation from an era of limited telecommunications to a rapidly expanding digital economy.

Sports presenter Chukwuebuka Anyaduba, popularly known as Chuey Chu, praised MTN’s contributions to sports development over the past 25 years.

He described the company’s achievements as remarkable, noting that sports development had remained a major priority throughout its operations.

“MTN Nigeria heavily drives sports development across the nation, investing billions of naira in grassroots talent discovery and sponsorship programmes,” he said.

According to Mr Anyaduba, the company’s support for football and athletics has helped position Nigerian athletes for greater international exposure.

“In grassroots sports, MTN has developed initiatives that engage young people positively and keep them away from social vices. They have contributed immensely to sports development in Nigeria, and Nigerians can only be proud of their achievements,” he said.

Mr Anyaduba expressed hope that MTN would further expand its support for sports as it marks its silver jubilee.

The museum features exhibitions showcasing telecommunications’ impact on business, entertainment and everyday life. The museum was designed not only to celebrate MTN’s achievements but also to tell Nigeria’s broader story of innovation and technological progress.

(NAN)