MTN Nigeria, a South African telecom giant, has unveiled plans to market Nigeria’s tourism assets to the world through a newly established platform, known as “See Naija”.
Ugonwa Nwoye, Chief Customer Relations Officer and Ag. Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.
Nwoye said that the platform was a digital tourism initiative aimed at showcasing Nigeria’s vibrant culture, iconic landscapes and creative talents.
She said the initiative would seek to reshape the misconceptions and negative stereotypes often associated with Nigeria.
“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.
“It will capture 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.”
Nwoye said that the ‘See Naija’ competition had also been established, which invited participants to rediscover the beautiful sights and sounds that highlight Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
She said using the hashtag, #SeeNaijawithMTN, the creative challenge encouraged individuals including content creators, photographers and videographers to share their unique perspectives on Nigeria.
Nwoye said it would be done through photos or videos that best represent the heart and soul of Nigeria, either through its people, landscapes, culture, or traditions.
“To enter the competition, interested participants can visit the See Naija website – mtn.ng/see-naija/.
“Submit a one to two-minute video entry of fascinating locations in your city, and upload your video on social media – Instagram, X, TikTok, Facebook or YouTube.
“Use the hashtag #SeeNaijawithMTN, Tag @mtnng and tag your location.”
She said the campaign started on Sept.17, which was World Tourism Day, and would run for three months.
Nwoye said with the unveiling of the initiative, MTN Nigeria has demonstrated its commitment to empowering Nigerians, promoting local talent, and driving socio-economic growth.
“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 civilisation 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 unveiled the competition inviting Nigerians to participate in rewriting history.
“Let us 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.”
