Omoni Oboli on Her Christmas Affair with MTN

In November, Nigerian audiences can anticipate a 'Yello' Christmas affair, thanks to a partnership between MTN Nigeria and filmmaker Omoni Oboli. The initiative involves the release of seven Christmas movies on YouTube, aimed at promoting Nigerian storytelling and making local entertainment more accessible. MTN Nigeria’s General Manager, Consumer Segments, Idowu Adesokan, highlighted the company’s commitment to supporting the creative industry, stating that connectivity goes beyond internet access and enables creativity, innovation, and economic opportunity.

The partnership between MTN and YouTube is designed to expand creators’ reach through marketing campaigns, driving traffic to creators’ channels and growing their subscriber base. For Oboli, MTN’s YouTube data bundles will make streaming the films more affordable for audiences. The filmmaker explained that this partnership didn’t start as a Christmas endeavor, but rather as a collaboration on 'Love in Every Word'.

When discussing the selection of seven films, Oboli revealed that her intention was to immerse viewers in the Christmas spirit, which she typically achieves by watching Christmas movies.

Each film explores themes of love, connection, forgiveness, family, and togetherness, elements that make Christmas a special season. Oboli addressed concerns about the originality of Nigerian Christmas films, emphasizing that Christmas in Nigeria is authentic and rooted in the celebration of the birth of their King, symbolizing love, forgiveness, and togetherness.

While Nigeria may lack the unique harmattan associated with the Christmas season, she noted that other elements such as Christmas trees and family gatherings contribute to the season’s originality.