Encomium
MTN Nigeria, through The Gathering on 100, has officially unveiled the next chapter of its youth cultural and creative movement in Aba, the home of entrepreneurship and innovation in Eastern Nigeria. The initiative transformed the Prime Time Event Centre in Osisioma into a vibrant hub of innovation, culture, lifestyle, and entertainment.
As the second major activation of MTN’s ‘Live It 100’ campaign, this event underscores a bold commitment to encouraging young Nigerians to live life to the fullest of their potential, whether in business, tech, culture, or entertainment. Central to this immersive experience is the highly anticipated Pitchathon, where 10 standout startups are vying for a total prize pool of ₦5 million.
The participating startups represent a cross-section of Aba’s burgeoning innovation ecosystem, tackling challenges ranging from logistics to artisanal tech. Among them are Trashverse Recycling Technology Limited, a climate-first recycling solution founded by Charles Ikechukwu; SkillsCircle by Together, an ed-tech platform championed by Ijeoma Irene to empower young professionals in Nigeria; and Poptreaties, a healthy snack alternative founded by Ifeanyichukwu Dominion to curb junk food consumption.
These founders and their peers are showcasing solutions that blend local ingenuity with scalable technological frameworks, highlighting the immense potential of the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. The pitchathon is judged by three esteemed figures in the African innovation ecosystem: Chiemela Anosike (Founder, Solaris GreenTech Hub), Dr. Chime Chimezie-Uche (Founder, Abia Startup Limited), and Justina Nwokedi (Digital Transformation Specialist).
This competition is designed to spotlight and empower early-stage founders in the city, providing them with a platform to validate their business ideas before investors, consumers, and industry stakeholders. The prize structure offers ₦2.5 million to the winning startup, ₦1.5 million for the first runner-up, and ₦1 million for the third-place winner.
This Aba edition builds on the success of the Lagos edition, which took place from April 22 to 26 at the National Stadium, Surulere. There, eight startups received a collective ₦45 million in seed funding for solutions ranging from fintech to creative technology. By bringing this platform to Aba, a city renowned for its industrial and entrepreneurial spirit, organizers aim to deepen access to opportunity and support the next generation of business leaders. For these 10 startups, the Pitchathon is a vital opportunity to gain visibility, engage with potential partners, and accelerate their growth within a high-density environment of innovation.
