The 2025 edition of Bole Festival is said to have boosted the Rivers State economy by increasing the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR), with thousands of vendors from across the country participating.

Participants described the event as apt, stating that it helps to ease tensions and pressures in the country and especially in Rivers State.

Bole Festival is a multi-day Rivers annual food festival and celebration of African culture that attracts vendors, investors, visitors, and tourists from across states, countries, and the globe.

This year’s edition of Bole Festival was its ninth, and the event was held at Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, Port Harcourt, over the weekend.

MTN Nigeria, among other sponsors, facilitated the success of the event, which brought a fresh lease of life after months of political wrangling from the Rivers State Local Government elections.

MTN provided network services and acted as a strategic partner for the state and the country’s economic development.

Speaking, some participants commended the initiative, saying it did not just bring joy and glamour but also provided networking and business opportunities.

One of the participants and an investor, Michael Onnei, said he came in from Cross River State to get a feel for the event, adding that he connected with friends and business associates.

He said, such a network is being expanded to boost business investments in the state and beyond.

The family of Adoloja Frank, who also participated, said the event was significant to helping reunite families and rebuild family bonds.

Another participant, Mrs Ngozi Ake, who attended the festival with her family, said that such events are necessary to alleviate some of the pressures on Nigerians.

She said the country has become so pressured and chaotic, hence the need for beautiful gatherings like the Bole and Fish festival to have some relief.

She applauded MTN and other co-sponsors for their support of the event.

“I’m having a good time with my family, the festival is worth the time and money spent,” she said.

Speaking, MTN’s General Manager, Regional Operations, South Region, Ifeanyichukwu Udom, said their involvement in the festival as a co-sponsor was another way of connecting with their customers and supporting their livelihood and aspirations.

“We continually find ways to connect with our customers and to support the enablement of their livelihood and aspirations. For instance, if you look at this place today, our network is 100 per cent complete. We have a car outside, providing an excellent network here. And because we’ve provided an enabling network, they’re able to connect. So we have two cars, one on the outside, one inside,” she said.

The MTN regional general manager stated that the Bole Festival provided a platform for them to engage with their customers and showcase their new products.

“We also use the opportunity to let them (MTN’s customers) know about the new products of MTN. It’s also a platform to engage with our customers and inform them about the services we offer. And, of course, it’s a platform to network and let new customers know what we have to offer in MTN. So, it’s a win-win for us, and that’s why we’re here,” she explained.

Udom expressed satisfaction with the socio-economic impact of the Bole Festival since its initiation a few years ago. She said MTN was happy to contribute to the growth of the cultural initiative.

She said, “The truth is that Bole Festival has continued to grow in leaps and bounds over the years. What is going on here in this Bole 2025 is more than what happened last year, and so we’re very proud of the organisers, and that is why we’re part of it. We are part of the reason why it’s growing, by providing the platform for enablement to make sure that customers here can connect and engage.”

The 2025 Bole Festival brought together thousands of fun seekers, who thronged to the Yakubu Gowon Stadium to participate in the carnival-like party.