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September 13, 2025The 2025 MTN-backed Bole Festival proved to be an incredible success, drawing a vast crowd to the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt. Held from September 6th to 7th, this ninth edition of the Niger Delta’s signature festival celebrated one of the region’s most beloved delicacies: roasted plantain (bole), served with fish and native pepper sauce. Over the course of two days, attendees were treated to vibrant performances, competitions, and a lively marketplace, marking a significant increase in both participation and cultural engagement. As the festival continued to grow in scale and impact, it reinforced the role of MTN in promoting cultural events and connecting people, both locally and internationally.A Festival Like No OtherAdvertisement What began as a local celebration of a traditional dish quickly evolved into a much-anticipated regional and national event. The Bole Festival is not only about food; it’s a cultural festival that unites people through shared experiences and traditions. Despite light showers that briefly disrupted the opening of the event, the resilience of the attendees ensured that the festival’s momentum was not lost. MTN, as the official sponsor, played a significant role in facilitating the event’s success by providing a reliable communication platform that ensured smooth connections, especially for content creators who were there to showcase the festival’s vibrancy. The combination of music, dance, food, and social interaction made the festival a celebration of unity, community, and cultural pride.Thousands of residents, visitors, and tourists filled the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt, showing just how much the festival has come to symbolize the Niger Delta. Bole, the dish that brings everyone together, was prepared by various vendors, each offering their own take on the popular plantain and fish meal. Meanwhile, the stalls featured everything from clothes and jewelry to shoes, creating a bustling marketplace that added to the festival’s lively atmosphere.MTN’s Role in Connecting and Empowering CommunitiesFor MTN, the sponsorship of the Bole Festival serves as part of its broader initiative to connect with its customers and empower communities across Nigeria. According to Ifeanyichukwu Udom, the Regional General Manager of South-South Operations at MTN Nigeria, the festival provided a platform for MTN to engage with customers and showcase its products. Udom highlighted how MTN’s network was vital for the success of the event, as it ensured seamless connectivity for attendees and content creators alike. With the availability of Mifi, 5G devices, and other technology, MTN helped people share and experience the festival in real-time, increasing its global visibility.Advertisement MTN’s support for the festival is in line with its ongoing efforts to bring people closer together, enabling them to create, connect, and communicate in meaningful ways …
