The Implementation Manager of MTN Nigeria in the South West, Temitope Akarah, has explained why the telecommunications giant co-sponsored the recently concluded 2025 Osun Osogbo Festival.

She said MTN’s partnership with the Osun State government and other corporate organisations was aimed at promoting Yoruba cultural heritage for future generations while also fulfilling part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) objectives.

Speaking with journalists in Osogbo, Akarah assured that the company would continue to support tourism events that enhance the preservation of indigenous traditions, describing the Osun Osogbo Festival as one of Africa’s greatest cultural and spiritual gatherings.

She noted that MTN’s co-sponsorship provided a platform for the brand to contribute to preserving and promoting Osogbo’s cultural heritage. She added that the company also empowered youths during the two-week festival through prize distributions.

“We did not sponsor the Osun Osogbo Festival for celebration’s sake, but to preserve our cultural heritage, which is very important. We believe preserving our heritage for future generations will keep our history intact,” Akarah stated.

She commended Osun residents for their support of the MTN brand, stressing that the festival also created an avenue for the company to give back to the people.

The 2025 edition of the Osun Osogbo Festival, which attracted large numbers of local and international tourists, began on July 28 with the traditional cleansing of Osogbo (Iwopopo) and climaxed on August 8 when the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olaonipekun Oyetunji, led the procession to the sacred grove.

This year, however, Baba Osun took over the role of the votary maid (Arugba) after the newly installed teenage Arugba, Alimot Osunbunmi, was unable to carry the sacrificial calabash due to its weight.