Kai Cenat’s Lagos school project grabbed headlines again this week as the Twitch star touched down in Nigeria for his second visit, kicking off talks with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu about youth programs while pushing forward his promised build for kids in need.
He landed Wednesday morning to cheers from fans at the airport, then headed straight to meet the Lagos boss, all smiles in a Super Eagles jersey, posing by those classic yellow danfo buses.
The trip continues from his first visit in 2024, when he made a significant financial commitment to assist the Makoko community, a floating slum on Lagos waters where families live in stilted homes and children cram into small classrooms.
Back then, he saw over 300 students jammed in one room and vowed to change it with a new school. Now, after some bumps, the spot shifted to Yaba nearby because building in Makoko’s waterways proved too tricky.
Kids from the slum still get free spots, and he’s raised over a million dollars so far, with 15 per cent of his Mafiathon 3 stream cash going straight there. That’s the marathon broadcast where he updated everybody last year, saying it takes time to make something that lasts beyond just him or his streaming days.
Social media stayed busy with the news. Fans shared clips of him chatting up street interviewer Egungun of Lagos, laughing about loving Naija food like jollof and suya, and joking he’d find a “Nigerian queen” while here. He kept it light but serious too, stressing real change through education and jobs for young people.
Meeting Sanwo-Olu felt like a win – they talked about ideas for getting youth involved in technology and skills, tying into Cenat’s push for sustainable stuff that sticks. One photo shows him grinning wide next to the governor, jersey on, like they’re old pals planning big.
But not everybody’s cheering. Online, some posts roast him for delays, like one calling him “wanted” in Nigeria for slow progress on the school. Another streamer claimed he dropped out of school waiting for Cenat’s promise, turning to content creation instead.
Critics say talk’s cheap when kids still wait, pointing to the original Makoko spot scrapping over land headaches. Cenat clapped back in streams before, saying building right takes time – not two years flat for something solid.
He’s got the Kai Cenat Foundation handling funds now, with over $1.1 million in, including his own $128,000 for computers at an existing spot while the new one rises. Even the NFL chipped in $100,000 last year to back it.
Bana.co.ke followed stories like this for years – celebs dropping into Africa with big hearts and bigger promises, sometimes hitting snags that turn excitement sour.
Cenat’s different, though; he started with a $2,800 donation on his first trip that sparked actual construction in Makoko before the shift. Now in Yaba, it’s moving – approvals, phases, the works.
He wants it lasting “beyond me, beyond streaming”, with free rides for Makoko kids and fees for others to keep it running. That’s smart thinking in a place where schools pack tight and dreams get squeezed.
Lagos buzzes with him around. Streets fill with fans yelling his name, danfo drivers honking hello. Egungun’s chat had him cracking up about Nigerian vibes – the energy, the food, and the people who make him feel at home.
“I love it here,” he said, eyes lighting up. But the queen joke? Light fun, though some tease he’s scouting more than schools. Deeper, it’s about impact — turning stream fame into real help for kids facing tough odds in slums like Makoko.
Debate rages online. Supporters say give him time; he’s raised cash and started work where others just talk. Haters call it hype, like one post wondering why build abroad when home needs fixing.
Cenat stays focused, posting updates and teaming with locals for sustainability. The governor’s meeting shows an official nod, maybe speeding up permits or partnerships.
At the end, this visit reignites hope. Kai’s back, sleeves rolled, pushing a project that could change lives. Kids in Makoko dream bigger already. If it finishes strong, he’ll prove stars can deliver. For now, Lagos welcomes him warmly, watching every step. Nigeria’s youth scene just got brighter — one stream, one school at a time.
