The second season of the Naija Whot League wrapped up in late August, and it was nothing short of thrilling! Players from all over Nigeria faced off in this much-anticipated event, bringing their best skills to the table in hopes of securing victory. Each player had a unique experience in the league, and we had the privilege of catching up with four of the champions, Taiwo John Adeyemi, Adeyemi Banji, Elizabeth, and Mariam Adeola Azeez, to get their insights on their experiences, strategies, and thoughts on the competition. Here's what they had to say about being part of Nigeria’s premier Whot league.

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Meet the Champions

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Could you kindly give us a quick intro? What is your name, and what do you do?

• Taiwo John Adeyemi: "Hi, I'm Taiwo John Adeyemi. I live in Lagos, and I work as a factory worker at Pentagon Plastic Industry Limited."
• Adeyemi Banji: "Hi, Adeyemi Banji here, and I’m a transporter."
• Elizabeth: "Hello, I'm Elizabeth, a crypto merchant."
• Mariam Adeola Azeez: "My name is Mariam Adeola Azeez."

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General Experience

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Congratulations! How did it feel to participate in the Naija Whot League Season 2, and what was your initial reaction when you found out you had won?

• Taiwo John Adeyemi: “I was really happy when I won, although the competition was tough.”
• Adeyemi Banji: “It came as a surprise to me. The competition started suddenly without much countdown, but I had this gut feeling that I’d be among the winners. It was an exciting experience.”
• Elizabeth: “I was elated to place among the top 20. It was a thrilling feeling.”
• Mariam Adeola Azeez: “Winning a voucher worth ₦40,000 made me really happy. It was a proud moment for me.”

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What motivated you to compete in Season 2, and how did it differ from your experience in Season 1 (if applicable)?

• Taiwo John Adeyemi: “My wins from Season 1 motivated me, but I wasn’t a fan of losing points in Season 2. It affected my morale.”
• Adeyemi Banji: “I enjoyed Season 1 so much that I had to come back for the second season.”
• Elizabeth: “I love a challenge. I wasn’t aware of Season 1, so this was my first time competing.”
• Mariam Adeola Azeez: “I love every opportunity that MPL brings. I’m a big fan of their tournaments and leagues, so I jumped at the chance to join Season 2.”

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Strategy and Preparation

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Can you share your overall strategy for the competition? Did you have a game plan, or did you adapt as the games progressed?

• Taiwo John Adeyemi: “I didn’t have a set game plan. I adapted as the games went on.”
• Adeyemi Banji: “I played normally, without any specific plan.”
• Elizabeth: “I focused on playing more at night when I felt other players might be tired.”
• Mariam Adeola Azeez: “I have a few strategies when it comes to Ludo, but for Whot, I’m still learning. I played to improve and learn from the pros.”

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How did you prepare for the competition? Did you practice specific strategies or play with certain opponents to hone your skills?

• Taiwo John Adeyemi: “I stuck to my usual strategies and kept learning from my opponents as I played.”
• Adeyemi Banji: “I relied on my personal skills, and luckily, that worked out.”
• Elizabeth: I play Ludo 2 dice every day, so it wasn’t anything new for me.”
• Mariam Adeola Azeez: “I practiced in the free lobby daily once I knew Season 2 was coming, just to sharpen my skills before the competition.”

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Was there a particular moment during the competition that challenged you the most? How did you overcome it?

• Taiwo John Adeyemi: “Losing points was tough for me. At one point, I stopped playing because of it.”
• Adeyemi Banji: “The 24-hour mark was the hardest. I had to push through to secure my position.”
• Elizabeth: “As the competition neared its end, I had to really strategise to maintain my spot.”
• Mariam Adeola Azeez: “I faced a rough patch where I lost six games in a row. I had to take a break, gather myself, and come back stronger.”

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Community and Interaction

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MPL Naija emphasised community engagement this season. How did you experience the community aspect of the competition?

• Taiwo John Adeyemi: “It was a good experience overall.
• Adeyemi Banji: The community interaction was great. I kept up with leaderboard updates through it.”
• Elizabeth: “It felt just like a live event, and I enjoyed that.”
• Mariam Adeola Azeez: “The MPL community is really cool. I also enjoy their weekly challenges.”

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Winning and Reflection

Which prize are you most excited about, and why?

• Taiwo John Adeyemi: “I won a blender, but I wasn’t too happy because I aimed for the first prize.”
• Adeyemi Banji: “The first position prize—it was definitely something worth fighting for.
• Elizabeth: “I’m happy with the prizes for the top 10.”
• Mariam Adeola Azeez: “I would’ve loved to go for the Smart TV, but Whot is still a bit tricky for me. I’ll get it next time!”

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How do you plan to celebrate your victory, and what does winning this competition mean to you?

• Taiwo John Adeyemi: “I’ll celebrate with friends. It means a lot to me.”
• Adeyemi Banji: “After receiving my prize, I’ll go out with friends and share the story. Winning means a lot.”
• Elizabeth: “It feels good knowing my time and money weren’t wasted.”
• Mariam Adeola Azeez: “I’m looking forward to competing in future leagues and going for bigger prizes.”

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Advice and Future Plans

What advice would you give to future participants of the Naija Whot League?

• Taiwo John Adeyemi: “Patience is key. The patient dog eats the fattest bone!”
• Adeyemi Banji: “The Naija Whot League is worth playing. It’s not just a game for fun. Put in your all and go for it.”
• Elizabeth: “Always have a strategy.”
• Mariam Adeola Azeez: “Stay calm when you lose. You can’t win all the time, and that’s okay.”

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Are you planning to compete in the next season, (if there will be one), and if so, how will you prepare for it?

• Taiwo John Adeyemi: “Yes, I’m planning to compete, and I’ll be saving money to prepare.”
• Adeyemi Banji: “Definitely. I’ll make sure to avoid distractions during the season.
• Elizabeth: “Yes, I’ll be there.”
• Mariam Adeola Azeez: “I’m ready for the next season and will be saving more money in case I face any challenges.”

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A big thanks to all our participants for making it another memorable tournament. We look forward to the next MPL Naija Whot League season. Check back soon. New to MPL? Learn more about MPL Naija.

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