There is something about seeing an object from the past that instantly transports you to a different time. A song, an old phone, a familiar advert or even something as simple as a recharge card can bring back memories you did not realise you still had.
That was the feeling at the MTN Y’ello Street Museum, created to celebrate MTN Nigeria’s 25th anniversary. The immersive experience takes visitors through different moments in MTN’s journey, bringing together moments, technology, entertainment and everyday objects that have been part of Nigerians’ lives.
While the museum spans 25 years of lovely memories, here are 5 things that brought the ultimate nostalgia.
1. The Recharge Cards That Started It All
Before mobile apps and instant digital payments made topping up your phone almost effortless, there was the yellow recharge card.
Seeing physical MTN recharge cards at the museum was a reminder of a time when scratching off that silver panel and carefully typing a long string of numbers was part of everyday life. The one that came with the panic of scratching the card too aggressively and potentially losing some of the numbers.
2. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? — “Final Answer!”
For many Nigerians, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? was more than a television programme. It was a weekly family ritual.
The iconic hot seat, the suspense, the lifelines and, of course, the unforgettable “Final Answer?” became part of Nigerian pop culture.
Seeing elements of the show at the museum brought back memories of families gathered around the television, answering questions from the comfort of their homes and imagining what they would do if they ever made it to the big money.
It also served as a reminder of MTN’s longstanding relationship with Nigerian entertainment and television creating experiences that extended beyond simply connecting people by phone.
3. The Beds That Reminded Everyone of “Xtra Cool”
One of the more intriguing installations at the museum was a bed inspired by MTN’sXtra Cool.At first glance, it was simply a bed. But for anyone who remembers the era, it was an instant trip down memory lane.
The hours of endless conversation at night and ensuring your airtime balance does not get lower than N100 to enjoy the free hours of calls. Some relationships were even built on the back of the free calls. Youths took naps during the day and ensured they were awake at midnight to start the calls.
4. Saka’s “I Don Port O” — A Phrase That Became a Cultural Moment
The I Don Port O campaign with Saka is definitely one for the books. The caricature of Saka on the ad at the museum brought back memories of one of the most iconic ads of all time.
The advert cleverly turned mobile number portability into something relatable, humorous and unmistakably Nigerian. Saka’s exaggerated reaction and the now-famous phrase quickly became part of everyday conversations.
For many Nigerians, “I don port o” even became a street phrase that means that they had moved on to something else.
And yes, seeing Saka’s familiar campaign imagery again was enough to make many visitors smile.
