MTN takes Nigerians on nostalgic journey through 25 years of connection

What was it like when owning a mobile phone was a status symbol, a missed call could carry a message, and sending an SMS was one of the fastest ways to stay in touch?

MTN Nigeria is taking Nigerians back to those moments — and showing just how dramatically life has changed — as the telecoms giant celebrates 25 years of connecting the country.

As part of its anniversary celebrations, MTN Nigeria has opened the Y’ello Street Experience, an immersive exhibition designed to take visitors through the moments, memories and milestones that have shaped the company’s journey over the past quarter of a century.

The week-long experience, which runs from August 10 to 17, 2026, at MTN Plaza, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, offers visitors an interactive look at the evolution of communication and digital life in Nigeria.

From the era of basic mobile phones, voice calls and SMS to smartphones, mobile internet and digital services, the experience traces how connectivity has evolved — and how deeply it has become woven into everyday Nigerian life.

Visitors can explore different eras of MTN Nigeria’s history through interactive installations, familiar sights and experiences that evoke memories of how Nigerians communicated, worked, socialised and accessed opportunities at different points over the past 25 years.

For some visitors, the experience has been as much about nostalgia as it is about technology.

“Walking through the experience brought back a lot of memories for me. I remember when having a mobile phone was a big deal, and now we use our phones for almost everything. It’s interesting to see how far we have come,” said Kunle Rasheed, a content creator.

For visual artist Obinna Chieze, the experience offered an opportunity to appreciate the wider impact of connectivity on everyday life.

“What I enjoyed most was seeing how connectivity has changed everyday life. From simple calls and SMS to mobile banking, social media and digital services, you can really see how much technology has become part of our lives,” he said.

Beyond the nostalgia, the Y’ello Street Experience highlights the role connectivity has played in strengthening personal relationships, supporting businesses, expanding access to information and creating new opportunities for Nigerians.

It also looks ahead, inviting visitors to consider how technology and digital connectivity could continue to shape Nigeria’s future.

The experience is open to the public daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. until August 17, 2026, at MTN Plaza, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Visitors can register at mtnyellostreet.com.