From April 22nd to 26th, 2026, the National Stadium, Surulere, was the most interesting place to be in Nigeria. For 100 continuous hours, culture, creativity, community and play were the name of the game. Just one giant hangout where everything, — from games to conversations to networking — could happen in one place.

The idea came from four young Nigerians and MTN. We met two of them, Matthias Kupoluyi and Oluwabukola Boss, who wanted to solve a simple but real problem: the lack of spaces young and hardworking Nigerians could unwind. Their solution was a five-day, round-the-clock experience backed by MTN Nigeria. 

What Actually Happened?

A lot. 

The venue never closed across the 100 hours. People went to work and returned to dive back in. Some stayed overnight, retreating to a dedicated rest area when they needed to recharge. 

Entry was free throughout; the only money changing hands was at vendor stalls for food, perfumes and goods from small businesses.

The programming covered an impressive range of experiences, including VR & console gaming, football matches, dance competitions, paint and sip, movie screenings, live performances and more.

During the 100 hours, nine startups pitched their revolutionary business ideas at the Pitchathon, covering everything from AI mental health tools and offline voice assistants to cross-border payments and edtech platforms. By Saturday, the 25th of April, 8 of these startups were awarded a total of ₦45 million in prizes. Not bad for what started as a hangout idea.

The Closing

On Sunday, the festivities drew to a close. The day featured a media sit-down with MTN Nigeria’s CEO Karl Toriola, CMO Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, and the event’s co-creators, followed by a final countdown marking the end of the 100 hours. There was a drone show, too.

The occasion also served as the official launch of the movement’s next chapter: Live It 100. MTN confirmed plans to expand the platform, making clear that the Lagos experience was only the beginning!