MTN MyCity App Launch:Musawa Champions Digital Shift In Tourism

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has said that Nigeria must deploy digital tools to unlock the full potential of its tourism and creative industries, as telecommunications giant MTN Nigeria formally launched its integrated city platform, “MyCity” app.

Speaking at the unveiling in Abuja, Musawa described the app as more than a digital product, but a strategic tool to reposition Nigeria as a competitive tourism destination and diversify the economy away from oil.

“For me, today we are not just unveiling an app; we are unveiling a vision — a vision where technology meets tourism, where government meets people, where businesses are empowered, and where cities become smarter, safer and more connected,” she said.

The minister stressed that as the world becomes increasingly digital, Nigeria’s cities must not be left behind, noting that modern tourism is driven by experience, safety, accessibility of information and seamless services.

“Everywhere you go in the world, especially in major tourism destinations, everything is at your fingertips. But when you come to Nigeria, which is seeking to diversify from oil into tourism, it is often difficult to access information about the environment,” she said.

According to her, Nigeria’s strongest tourism asset remains its culture and creative diversity.

“Nigeria is the hub of culture with diverse traditions that the world is eager to experience. When people come to Nigeria, it is not just for destinations but for culture. That is our brand,” she said.

Musawa explained that the MyCity app — developed and powered by MTN — is designed as an integrated digital city platform connecting residents, visitors, businesses and government services in one place.

She said the platform would enable users to discover local businesses, access essential city services, obtain real-time updates on events and festivals, navigate transportation, and access critical information required for safe and informed travel.

“When a visitor lands in Nigeria, the first thing they reach for is their phone. When a resident wants to find a restaurant, attend a festival or access a service, they reach for their phone. This app transforms a smartphone into a smart urban companion,” she said.

The minister linked the initiative to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly the administration’s push for economic diversification and job creation through the creative and cultural economy.

She noted that the creation of the Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy underscores the federal government’s commitment to leveraging Nigeria’s creative assets for growth.

“With our growing population, the creative and cultural industries have the power to generate inclusive economic growth, create jobs and empower communities across urban and rural areas,” she said.

Musawa further argued that structured tourism development could help address insecurity by creating employment and community ownership around tourism assets.

“When you create a tourism destination, you employ people within that environment. They take ownership of it, and when they take ownership, they protect it. That is how tourism also contributes to security,” she said.

She added that improved digital access to information would help change negative narratives about Nigeria by enabling visitors to experience the country’s culture and landscapes firsthand.

Earlier, MTN’s General Manager, Architecture and Engineering, Information Technology, Bukola Ajayi, said the MyCity app was built as a unified city engagement layer designed to connect government, businesses and citizens.

He explained that the platform features end-to-end data encryption, enterprise-grade security architecture and integration capabilities for government and private sector services.

According to him, the app is designed to function even under limited network conditions and can operate partially offline to enhance accessibility.

Also speaking, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Dr. Karl Toriola, represented by the General Manager, Regional Operations, North West (Sales and Distribution), Mr. ThankGod Otorkpa, said the platform would drive digital inclusion and transparency.

“In the boardroom in Abuja or in the market, government and the economy are now in your pocket. We are creating a platform where no SME is invisible and no citizen is left behind,” he said.

MTN said the MyCity app would be rolled out across the 36 states, providing a scalable infrastructure capable of supporting millions of users with high reliability.

The launch marks a significant collaboration between the private sector and government aimed at deepening digital inclusion, strengthening civic engagement and accelerating Nigeria’s transition to a knowledge-driven economy.