Community Spotlight: Nathan Goodluck on Building The N.A.T.Experience

iam_n.a.t.e

In building community, consistency, intentionality, and authenticity are important. This guiding philosophy runs through Nathan Goodluck’s journey as the creator of The N.A.T.Experience. A Communications Officer and Brand Strategist by day, and an energetic host, entertainer, and musician by passion, Nathan blends creativity and strategy to shape meaningful connections both inside and outside the corporate world. His stage name, N.A.T.E. (Not Afraid To Excel), reflects his belief that courage lies at the heart of growth and impact.

Speaking with Nathan Goodluck for Communa magazine’s spotlight column brought us more clarity about who community builders are and what they do.

The N.A.T.Experience offers affordable, safe, and inclusive spaces for 9–5 professionals and young creatives to relax and enjoy premium-quality entertainment. Each edition is intentionally themed—from All White Parties to Pyjamas Nights—creating anticipation, joy, and community beyond the ordinary Lagos party scene. Nathan emphasizes that their success isn’t just in the events themselves, but in the unmatched feeling they leave with their audience.

Can you tell us about yourself, what you do?​

Nathan: My name is Nathan Goodluck. I work as a Communications Officer and Brand Strategist in the banking sector, where I combine creativity with strategy to shape impactful narratives. Beyond the corporate space, I’m deeply involved in client management, event hosting, and hyping audiences—bringing energy and connection wherever I go.

I thrive in people centered environments and pride myself on being a presence that uplifts any room. I believe no one should ever feel bored around me—when I step in, the atmosphere shifts. My stage name, N.A.T.E. (Not Afraid To Excel), reflects my philosophy: everything we desire lies on the other side of fear and courage, and that belief drives me forward.

In addition to banking and events, I'm into music as well. Hits like Single Pringle , 9-5 , Owo ni koko are available on Spotify,  Apple , tiktok , and youtube. Whether through music, words, or performance, I love creating catchy, memorable moments that spark joy and lighten moods.

How did you start out in events, and what inspired you to create The N.A.T.Experience?

Nathan: Special recognition goes to MayDay Globals, who played a pivotal role in shaping my foundation in events and party culture. They exposed me early to what it takes to create memorable experiences. My journey began in secondary school, shortly after completing my WASSCE exams and just before university. Around 2009/2010, I served as a PR person for Mayday, responsible for mobilizing attendees and driving turnout at their parties.

There, I learned first-hand about branding, ticketing, publicity, security, and location management. By the time I got into university, I was already a campus ambassador for them. With my outgoing personality and ability to connect with people, I quickly built strong networks and became the Social Director of my department. At Babcock University, where students loved to party, I found the perfect environment to hone my skills and build relationships.

After graduating in 2015, I shifted into media, appearing on TV and radio as a sports analyst while also hosting football-related events, including games for Sporting Lagos, a Nigerian Professional Football Team. While fulfilling, sports media wasn’t financially rewarding, so I pivoted.

In 2017, I joined the banking industry but never let go of my passion for entertainment. What started with football-centered gatherings soon evolved into full-scale events by 2020. From house parties to large ticketed events, I’ve collaborated with top names like Davido, Kizz Daniel, Cavemen, Crowd Kontroller, Do2dtun, Sheye Banks, DJ Tohbahd, and Dr. Fola.

Through consistency, I found my niche: catering to 9–5 professionals. Traditional nightlife in Lagos often revolves around “ballers” with deep pockets, but many working-class professionals earning ₦300k–₦400k monthly can’t afford that lifestyle. I asked myself, “How can we create a space where people can have a great time without breaking the bank?” That question gave birth to The N.A.T.Experience.

The N.A.T.Experience is about community, fun, and affordability. We provide a safe, judgment-free space where people can unwind, recharge, and truly enjoy themselves. Our tickets are accessible, our vibe is inclusive, and since inception, every edition has grown stronger—with no negative reviews to date.

While 9–5ers remain our core audience, our reach has expanded to include entrepreneurs, tech professionals, and other young, vibrant individuals. By anchoring our events around holidays and month-ends, we keep the energy fresh and highly anticipated.

Today, The N.A.T.Experience isn’t just about parties—it’s about building a culture of consistent, memorable, and affordable entertainment.

Does this mean the community experiences are rooted in your personal ideas of what community means? What are those ideas, and how do you explore them through your work?

Nathan: When you think of The N.A.T.Experience, think premium vibes only. It’s never about being cheap—it’s about the quality of the experience. We always ask: How will they feel? Because at the end of the day, it’s not just what we do, it’s the way we make people feel that keeps them coming back.

Every event is themed with intention. We begin the year in March with the All White Party—Worth the Hype Fest—a fresh start to the year, reminding everyone that yes, we are exactly what we say: worth the hype. Then comes Hysteria. This year we went ‘Nollywood’, last year it was Rich & Famous.

From there, we roll into Party No Dey Stop—because the party really doesn’t stop until we say so. August was the Owambe Party, September brings the rare and exciting Pyjamas Party, and before December we set the tone with Before It Gets Detty. Each event is carefully crafted to give people something to look forward to—something different from the regular party scene in Nigeria.

The truth is, even we don’t always realize how much impact we’ve had until people share their reviews. The love, the excitement, the pure joy—it blows us away every time. The N.A.T.Experience isn’t something you can copy or recreate. It’s in the feeling, and that feeling is unmatched.

This is not just another party brand—we’re a movement, and we’re proud of the culture and energy we bring.

You recently hosted the Owambe party. What was that experience like for you? Has hosting these events taken away the joy of community for you, or has it added to it?

Nathan: The highlight of the Owambe party for me was the live band. Unlike weddings—where live bands are common but often drowned in stress and noise—this event gave people the chance to truly enjoy the music. Meeting new people is always one of my favorite parts of hosting. While we already have a loyal community that shows up consistently, hearing first-timers say things like, “You do this every month? I’m definitely coming again,” is always a blessing.

One challenge we face in building this community is funding. We don’t always have sponsors willing to come on board, and sometimes time gets wasted in conversations instead of action. In fact, last year, 100 percent of our parties were self-funded. It was only in 2025 that we began attracting sponsors like Jameson, Patron, Redbull, and a few others.

For me, building a community is about being intentional. Too many people just throw parties without connection or purpose. Humans thrive on that feeling, and when attendees leave with something memorable—beyond the artists or the music—they naturally talk about it, bring friends, and help grow the community.

That’s the power of feeling. When you create events people carry with them long after the night ends, they don’t just return—they become ambassadors for the experience. Just recently, a colleague of mine attended one of our events, and now he’s constantly singing my songs. He even introduced me to a friend in Berlin who already knew about what we’re doing. That’s the impact: people connecting, spreading the word, and making the community stronger.

Have you witnessed the impact of your community go beyond the events themselves — for example, in friendships, partnerships, collaborations, or people finding a sense of belonging?

Nathan: At my parties, I’ve seen performers, photographers, planners, vendors, and even hosts get discovered and invited to new opportunities. My community has become a platform where connections flourish—people have secured jobs, landed bigger gigs, and built lasting networks through these events.

I’m inspired by Davido’s mantra, “We rise by lifting others,” and that principle continues to drive what I do. Seeing people grow, gain exposure, and expand their careers because of the community we’ve built is one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.

When anchoring other people’s events, how do you connect with the audience? Do you simply show up as yourself, or do you consciously adapt to give them what they want?

Nathan: I always like to read the room. There is no type of event I haven’t hosted. I have hosted corporate events, year end parties , weddings, raves , clubs fitness parties , children parties ,sporting events. I will always say, reading the room and knowing what fits, what always helps me is my energy. Once I am able to understand it, I am good to go.

Once I am able to understand the type of people around me, it helps me with the things I say. If I have Gen Zs or Mellenials, what kind of things will I be able to say that will get them? I use what works for them, same with older audiences. Sometimes I host events with a mixed crowd, so I always read the room, bring the right energy, and most times, what works for me is that people feed off my energy. Whether I come too slow or too loud, it’s the way I get them entertained.

Sometimes it could be my outfit, I always like to make a statement with my fits, what I wear draws the crowd to me, and once I am on the microphone, they understand that I am their host and they have to pay attention.

Speaking of your work, I can tell you enjoy doing what you do. Which of them do you enjoy doing the most? Is it working in the bank or as a community host?

Nathan: For me, it’s all about balance. Working in the bank has strengthened my people management skills—interacting with different personalities, understanding behaviours, and managing dynamics in one space. That experience translates naturally when I step on stage at events, where my focus is simply to create happiness and energy.

The bank has sharpened my character, built my ability to nurture relationships, and broadened my perspective. Events, on the other hand, allow me to express myself freely and connect with people in a different way. I can’t say I enjoy one more than the other—they complement each other perfectly.

From Monday to Friday, I’m fully committed to work. On weekends, I’m outside doing what I love. My workplace understands this balance, and I’ve set clear boundaries that are respected.

I believe it’s important to stay true to yourself and allow growth to happen organically. Building a real community takes time; if it’s forced or purely transactional, it won’t last. What matters is creating an environment where people feel valued and connected. For me, one of the most rewarding moments is hosting a themed party and seeing people fully embrace it by dressing the part—that, to me, is the essence of community.

Describe yourself in 10 words

Nathan: I would say I am: Ambitious, Energetic, a Goal getter, Fashionable, an Entertainer, Funny, Charismatic, a Cheerful, Multi-Talented, and Shy.

​[laughs]

If you could send one message to people trying to build a community all over the world, what would it be, and what methods would you recommend for finding it?

Nathan: I would like to say that you have to stay true to yourself and know what works for you. Don’t be in a rush. Community takes a lot of time to build, and if you want to build something long-lasting, it takes time to do so. Organic building will last longer; at the end of the day, if you have to do things based on it being paid for or fixed, it will not last long. People need to come to your community to have a genuine experience and feel catered to. I feel blessed when I do a themed party and people dress the part. That’s community.