The Federal Government has launched MyCityNaija, a nationwide smart city platform that connects government services, businesses and citizens in one digital ecosystem.
At the unveiling in Abuja, Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, described the initiative as a bold step toward economic diversification and digital inclusion.
She said the launch goes beyond introducing a mobile application. In her words, the platform represents a national vision where technology supports tourism, simplifies public services and strengthens safer, smarter cities.
Musawa aligned the initiative with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. She noted that the President created the Ministry to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on oil and unlock the economic power of culture and creativity.
Tourism Meets Technology
Global tourism has changed rapidly in recent years. Today, travellers rely on their phones for navigation, safety and real-time updates.
Musawa stressed that Nigeria must adapt to this reality. She said the country cannot promote itself as a cultural hub without offering digital access to its experiences.
According to her, Nigeria’s strongest brand remains its culture. Visitors travel for festivals, music, fashion, art and heritage. The Minister added that MyCityNaija turns every smartphone into a smart urban companion that delivers trusted information and improves visitor confidence.
She also noted that the app will promote domestic tourism across states such as Lagos, Kano and other regions nationwide.
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MyCityNaija combines tourism, business visibility and government services on one platform.
Users can discover verified businesses and explore cultural events. They can locate restaurants and hotels with ease. The app also provides navigation tools and transport guidance.
In addition, the platform sends emergency alerts and safety updates. It offers housing and job listings for residents and newcomers. Secure digital payment features improve transparency and convenience.
Musawa said the platform closes the long-standing gap between citizens, private enterprises and public institutions.
Creative Economy as Growth Engine
The Minister highlighted the economic power of the creative sector. She explained that film, music, fashion, art and digital content create income opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
She said the Ministry currently finalises copyright and intellectual property reforms. These reforms aim to protect creators and boost export potential.
Musawa pointed to examples from South Korea and Brazil. Both countries built strong economies by exporting culture and entertainment. She expressed confidence that Nigeria can achieve similar results.
Government projections show that the broader digital tourism strategy could contribute up to 100 billion dollars to Nigeria’s GDP by 2030. Officials also expect the sector to create between two and five million jobs.
MTN Nigeria Powers the Infrastructure
MTN Nigeria provides the digital backbone for the platform.
Speaking at the unveiling, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of MTN, Karl Toriola, said the platform places government and economic access directly in citizens’ hands.
Toriola, who was represented by ThankGod Otorkpa, General Manager of Regional Operations, North West, noted that whether someone works in a corporate office in Abuja or trades in a Kano market, the app delivers equal access.
He added that the initiative supports inclusion by integrating SMEs into a single digital marketplace. In his words, no small business should remain invisible and no citizen should feel excluded.
Built for Scale and Security
Also speaking at the launch, Bukola Ajayi, General Manager of Architecture and Engineering, Information Technology at MTN Nigeria, explained the technical framework.
Ajayi said the company built the system on cloud-native architecture with microservices technology. Engineers integrated government and enterprise systems through secure APIs. The platform also uses end-to-end encryption to protect user data.
Ajayi confirmed that the system includes role-based access control and enterprise compliance standards. Developers optimised the platform for low-bandwidth areas to support rural users. She added that the system can scale from millions to over 200 million users with 99.9 percent reliability across all 36 states.
Tourism and Security Connection
Beyond revenue, Musawa emphasised tourism’s role in security.
She explained that tourism projects create jobs within host communities. Once communities earn from these projects, they protect the infrastructure and preserve the environment. That sense of ownership strengthens safety and stability.
The Minister urged stakeholders to promote Nigeria’s strengths rather than its challenges. She said the country’s diversity, resilience and creativity define its true identity.
She called on private sector partners to treat the initiative as a long-term legacy project. According to her, sustained collaboration will determine its success.
MyCityNaija marks a significant step in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey. The platform now sets the stage for smarter governance, stronger SMEs and a globally competitive tourism industry.
If adoption grows steadily, Nigeria could reshape how citizens access services, how businesses reach customers and how the world experiences its culture.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
