The Federal Government has launched a 100-day tourism calendar designed to bring Nigeria’s festivals, concerts, cultural events and lifestyle experiences together on one digital platform.
The initiative was unveiled in Lagos at the Ember2Remember National Stakeholders’ Conference and is being powered by MyCityApp and MyLagosApp. It is focused on the September-to-December festive period, with the government seeking to attract visitors, Nigerians in the diaspora and local consumers to events and tourism experiences across the country.
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, said the initiative is intended to turn the festive season into a period of increased economic activity, creating opportunities for businesses, jobs and investment.
According to the minister, tourism generates activity across several sectors, including aviation, transportation, hospitality, entertainment, retail, technology and the creative industries.
The platform is expected to feature festivals, concerts, exhibitions, food experiences, cultural celebrations, fashion and sporting events, conferences and other major activities taking place across Nigeria between September and December.
The Federal Government is targeting a $100 billion tourism and creative economy, with officials arguing that better organisation, promotion and monetisation of Nigeria’s cultural assets could help unlock more value from the sector.
Stakeholders, including state governments, event organisers, tourism operators and hospitality businesses, have been encouraged to submit their upcoming events for inclusion on the national calendar.
The government says the platform will also make it easier for people outside Nigeria to discover events and experiences available across the country, potentially increasing tourism-related spending during the festive season.
