By Chinenye Anuforo
Imagine a land where ancient forests teem with wildlife, towering mountains pierce the sky and crystal-clear waters beckon to swimmers and surfers. A place where vibrant cultures blend seamlessly, offering a tapestry of traditions, languages and cuisines. This is Nigeria, a country often overlooked by travelers, but teeming with untapped tourism potential.
To showcase the beauty and diversity of Nigeria, MTN on 2024 World Tourism Day, launched the ‘See Naija’ platform.
The ‘See Naija’ platform is a curated online destination that allows individuals to discover beautiful spots and unique insights about Nigeria’s diverse culture, from its stunning natural landscapes to its colourful festivals and traditional lifestyle. In collaboration with some content creators, the platform will explore captivating visuals and stories about the Great Oyo empire, Gashaka Gumti park in Taraba state, Gurara waterfalls in Niger state, Mount patti in Lokoja, Agbokim Waterfall, Osun sacred grove and a host of others. According to the general manager, brands and communications, MTN Nigeria, Emamoke Ogoro, this innovative initiative aims to inspire both domestic and international visitors to explore the country’s up gems and experience the warmth and hospitality of its people.
“To showcase the beauty and diversity of Nigeria, MTN today is launching the ‘See Naija platform’.
The platform invites Nigerians to share their photos and videos of their favorite destinations, from bustling cities. By highlighting the country’s diverse attractions, MTN hopes to challenge negative stereotypes and promote Nigeria as a must-visit destination.”
As a part of this launch, MTN also announced the ‘See Naija’ competition which invites participants to rediscover the beautiful sights like Lagos and Abuja to serene countryside landscapes like the Jos Plateau and the Obudu Cattle Ranch. Using the hashtag #SeeNaijawithMTN, the creative challenge encourages individuals, including content creators, photographers and videographers to share their unique perspectives on Nigeria through photos or videos that best represent the heart and soul of Nigeria, either through its people, landscapes, culture, or traditions.
“One of the key goals of the ‘See Naija’ platform is to foster a sense of pride among Nigerians about their country’s rich heritage and natural beauty. By showcasing the positive aspects of the country, we hopes to inspire local residents to explore their own backyard and support sustainable tourism initiatives.
“In addition to promoting tourism, the ‘See Naija’ initiative also aims to contribute to economic development. By attracting visitors to Nigeria, the initiative can generate revenue for local businesses create jobs, and improve infrastructure”, Ogoro stated.
Also speaking about the initiative, the chief customers relations officer and acting chief marketing officer, Ugonwa Nwoye, said: “At MTN, we believe in the beauty of diversity and inclusion. These two sit at the heart of our identity and organisational culture. Nigeria is a bigger picture of our culture. The nation is one of the most culturally varied countries, home to over 500 languages and over 300 ethnic groups. Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, encompassing art, crafts, and traditions from the Nok civilization to the Benin Empire, has formed the country’s identity.
“To change the narrative about our country and showcase its beauty to the world, we, as indigenes, must play our part. This is why we have launched a competition inviting Nigerians to participate in rewriting history. Let’s tell and share our stories about the lively markets in Lagos, the beautiful scenery in Calabar, or the customary celebrations in Kano. From our cuisine to our craft, to the diverse languages we speak, there is so much about our culture that we are yet to uncover. Let’s see Naija for the beauty that it truly is.”
Ayham Moussa, chief operations officer, MTN Nigeria explained that the organization is not just about telecommunications. “We are about showcasing the greatness of Africa and Nigeria is a shining example. Today, we are launching an initiative to introduce the world to Nigeria’s rich cultures, stunning landscapes, delicious cuisine, and amazing people. Our team has worked tirelessly to create a platform that will inspire travelers to discover the hidden gems of this incredible country,” he said.
“To enter the competition, interested participants can visit the See Naija website, submit a 1–2-minute video entry of fascinating locations in your city, upload your video on social media like Instagram, X, TikTok, Facebook or YouTube, use the hashtag – #SeeNaijawithMTN and tag @mtnng and tag your location.”
The campaign kicked off on World Tourism Day and will run for 3 months. As the platform gains momentum, MTN plans to expand its reach and partner with local tourism boards and businesses to promote Nigeria as a destination for travelers seeking adventure, culture and relaxation. By empowering Nigerians to share their stories, the ‘See Naija’ initiative aims to create positive and accurate perception of the country.