General News
Developing Smart Cities to Boost Tourism Experience in Nigeria
By Adeniyi Ogunfowoke
You may question why one should discuss smart cities when there is arguably no smart state in Nigeria. You may say Lagos, but when you look at the indexes for identifying a smart city including transport and mobility, digitisation, living standard and governance, the centre of excellence has a long way to go.
To make the discussion probably unworthy, tourism in Nigeria is still at the analogue stage and it is seriously struggling and making small efforts to drive itself to the digital phase.
These minute strides are being made by the likes of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Tour Operators, Online Travel Agency like Jumia‘s Hotel and Flight Marketplace and others. There is so much to be done.
Nevertheless, it is important to talk about smart cities in relation to the tourism industry and the economy at large because we are in a tech world. With technology comes innovation and you know that innovation is dynamic. If you do not innovate, be prepared to become irrelevant.
Clearly, smart cities are the future and it is no surprise that countries like Singapore, Barcelona, London, San Francisco and Oslo are the top five smart cities in the world according to Market research firm Juniper Research. Therefore, it is important for Nigeria to march towards becoming one.
What is a Smart City? It is a city that has the ability to utilise data aggregated by intelligent sensors for streamlining city operations and guaranteeing public safety. Some of the benefits of a smart city include (a)More effective, data-driven decision-making (b) Enhanced citizen and government engagement (c) safer communities, improved transportation (d) Increased digital equity (e) New economic development opportunities and efficient public utilities.
How Nigeria Can Become a Smart Country?
Nigeria is yet to become a smart city. However, one must point out some of the gains the country has made over the years.
According to the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), the country has over 103 million internet users and many of them use smartphones. They use their internet savvy smartphones to book flights, hotels and also shop on Jumia. They will be preparing to do so as Black Friday knocks on the door.
Furthermore, tech companies like Google and Facebook are working assiduously to provide public internet for Nigerians. And in many of Nigeria’s higher institutions, relatively free and affordable internet is provided to enable students research and learn with ease. These are some of the features of a smart city.
This said, there is still a lot of work to be done. Becoming a smart city requires huge capital investment. But if the government and the private sector can partner via a Public and Private Partnership (PPP), being a smart city will become feasible in the next few years.
Some of the ways to become a smart city are: (1) Optimising intracity connectivity (2) Encouraging information sharing (3) Enabling real-time response (4) Driving sustainable initiative (5) Promoting security & economic growth (6) Effective waste management
The Role of Smart Cities in Boosting Tourism Experiences
Today’s travellers may no longer select where to visit based on the beauty, faux and fauna of the destination. Rather, they will take a holistic look at these destinations before they decide considering factors like security, internet provision and infrastructure availability. If any of these things are lacking, such destinations may not make their itinerary.
In the case of Nigeria, tourist and historical destinations are ‘begging’ to be revamped by the government. To exacerbate the situation, many of these destinations lack relevant infrastructure.
Therefore, one of the things the government must do alongside developing smart cities is to revamp these awesome destinations. If not, Nigeria will be losing out as it is currently doing. Visitors want a seamless and smooth trip.
For example, immediately they arrive at the airport, they are cleared by the immigration service, they do not worry about their security, they can use their smartphones to book rides and hotels and the roads are very good. Such a visitor will definitely have something positive to say and will always want to return.
Hence, if the government is really serious about boosting tourism experience for both local and international tourists, they must look at developing and creating smart cities.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a forward-looking strategy that places satellite-enabled mobile connectivity at the heart of the country’s drive to bridge its long-standing coverage gaps.
The draft Spectrum Roadmap for the Communications Sector for 2025 to 2030 lays out how satellite technologies could help deliver reliable voice and data services to millions of Nigerians who live beyond the reach of conventional mobile networks.
The direction is outlined in the Commission’s draft Spectrum Roadmap for the Communications Sector covering the period.
The proposed approach highlights non-terrestrial networks as a complement to existing mobile infrastructure, especially in areas where terrain, insecurity, or high costs limit the deployment of base stations.
The NCC said D2D satellite technology, which allows standard mobile phones to connect directly to satellites, is gaining traction globally as a means of delivering voice and data services without reliance on ground towers.
According to the regulator, the technology could help close persistent coverage gaps in rural, riverine, and border communities that remain outside the reach of conventional networks.
It also noted that satellite-backed connectivity could improve network reliability by providing alternative links during fibre cuts, power failures, or other disruptions affecting terrestrial systems.
The Commission added that wider adoption of D2D services could support emergency communications, public safety operations, Internet of Things applications, and services such as smart agriculture in underserved regions.
It also pointed to potential investment opportunities through partnerships between mobile network operators and satellite companies, including more efficient use of shared spectrum resources.
Beyond D2D services, the roadmap places emphasis on Low-Earth Orbit satellites to expand broadband access to remote parts of the country.
It also proposes better utilisation of Geostationary Orbit satellites and the exploration of high-altitude platforms, such as stratospheric balloons, to support mobile backhaul and rural connectivity.
The policy signals come shortly after Airtel Africa announced an agreement with SpaceX to introduce Starlink-powered direct-to-cell services in Nigeria.
The NCC’s roadmap is expected to shape future spectrum allocation, licensing decisions, and technology adoption across the telecommunications sector.
General News
House of Reps Releases Certified Copies of Tax Reform Acts amid Gazette Discrepancy Claims
House of Representatives has released certified true copies of the four tax reform Acts signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, addressing public concerns over alleged discrepancies between legislative versions and circulated gazetted documents.
Tax Reform Acts
House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, disclosed this in a statement, noting that Speaker Tajudeen Abbas directed the immediate publication of the Acts—including endorsement and presidential assent pages—for public verification, in collaboration with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The move followed allegations raised by Rep. Abdulsamad Dasuki on the House floor, highlighting inconsistencies between Bills passed by the National Assembly and executive gazetted versions, which he warned could erode legislative integrity and public trust.
Abbas constituted a seven-member ad hoc committee chaired by Rep. Aliyu Betara, with members including Idris Wase, Sada Soli, Adedeji Faleke, Igariwey Iduma, Fred Agbedi and Babajimi Benson, to investigate the alleged alterations, unauthorised circulation and preventive measures.
The committee’s mandate includes probing circumstances around the discrepancies, while Abbas ordered internal verification and public release of certified copies to dispel doubts and safeguard legislative records. Legal experts, tax professionals and civil society had demanded clarification and implementation suspension amid heated debates triggered by Dasuki’s intervention.
The released laws comprise the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; National Revenue Service Establishment Act, 2025; and Joint Revenue Board Establishment Act, 2025, described as foundational to modernising Nigeria’s tax system.
These reforms aim to enhance compliance, curb inefficiencies, eliminate overlaps and bolster fiscal coordination across federal, state and local tiers, following extensive stakeholder consultations, committee reviews and plenary debates under Abbas’s leadership.
Rotimi reassured Nigerians: “The National Assembly is an institution built on records, procedure, and institutional memory. Every Bill, every amendment, and every Act follows a traceable constitutional and parliamentary pathway.”
He emphasised that only National Assembly-certified versions hold authority, urging the public, institutions and stakeholders to disregard all other circulating documents as unofficial.
MultiChoice, a CANAL+ company, has retained the distribution rights to 12 Warner Bros. Discovery thematic channels following the signing of a new multi-year, multi-territory agreement between CANAL+ Group and Warner Bros. Discovery, marking a significant expansion of their long-standing partnership.
MultiChoice
The new deal, which spans several regions across Africa and Europe, covers the distribution of HBO Max as well as the renewal of selected Warner Bros. Discovery thematic channels. It represents a major milestone in the companies’ international collaboration and strengthens content offerings across MultiChoice Group territories.
MultiChoice disclosed that this agreement builds on earlier partnerships concluded in Europe. “It builds on the landmark agreements concluded in France in 2024,including the renewal of the exclusive pay-TV window for Warner Bros. Pictures films just six months after their theatrical release in France and the integration of HBO Max within select CANAL+ group offers – as well as in Poland in 2025, with the renewal of the distribution agreement for 22 thematic channels (including TVN 24 and Eurosport) and 4 free-to-air channels (including TVN).”
Under the renewed arrangement, MultiChoice Group will continue to distribute 12 Warner Bros. Discovery thematic channels across its territories, with some channels offered on an exclusive basis. CNN International and Cartoon Network will remain exclusive to South Africa while being distributed non-exclusively in other markets. Cartoon Network Porto will be exclusive in Angola and Mozambique and non-exclusive elsewhere. Other channels such as Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, TNT Africa, Travel, ID and Cartoonito will be offered on a non-exclusive basis.
According to the partners, the deal reinforces CANAL+ Group’s channel portfolio on the continent. “This agreement enables CANAL+ Group to strengthen its entertainment, kids, news, and documentary channel offerings in African markets.”
The agreement is also expected to improve access for CANAL+ Group subscribers to Warner Bros. Discovery’s premium content through HBO Max and selected channels, including globally recognised series and films, further extending the studio’s international reach while consolidating MultiChoice’s content offering in key markets.
Samsung Plans to Double AI Mobile Devices to 800 million Units this Year
Zacch Adedeji says Rebranded NRS will Overhaul Revenue Administration
2026: SEC to Review Rules to Incentivise SME Listings
Nigeria Targets Satellite-to-Mobile Services in Draft Spectrum Roadmap
Remita Powers over ₦100 Trillion in Payments as Nigeria’s Digital Economy Expands
Banks quietly move to enforce new ₦50 transfer levy from Jan. 1
FIRS says NIN, CAC Numbers to Serve as Tax IDs from 2026
Financial Sector Faced AI, Blockchain and Organised Crime Threats in 2025 – Report
Minister Claims Bandits Exploit Poor Network, Bounce Calls Off Multiple Towers
PalmPay Launches N400 Million World Travel Carnival, Rewarding Users with Free Global Trips
News2 days ago974 Nigerians Face Imminent Deportation from Canada Amid Enforcement Surge
General News2 days agoHouse of Reps Releases Certified Copies of Tax Reform Acts amid Gazette Discrepancy Claims
News16 hours agoCourt Sends Faleti, Ex-Lagos Director to Jail for Stealing ₦48.9m from Access Bank
E-Financial16 hours agoRemita Powers over ₦100 Trillion in Payments as Nigeria’s Digital Economy Expands
E-Financial16 hours agoWhy 2026 Must Be the Year Nigeria’s Economy Works for All
E-Financial16 hours agoFlutterwave Acquires Nigeria’s Mono in $25m-$40m All-Stock Deal
General News16 hours agoNigeria Targets Satellite-to-Mobile Services in Draft Spectrum Roadmap
E-Financial16 hours ago2026: SEC to Review Rules to Incentivise SME Listings