Season Duration: September to December 2026 (100 Days across all 36 States and FCT)
R-L: Director General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Dr. Abisoye Fagade; Chief Executive Officer, MyCityApp, Ifeoma Mbonu; Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Ola Awakan; Representative of the Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC); General Manager, Operations, MTN Nigeria, David Igunsola; and Silely Lothan – Head, private banking Abuja and North Region, Providus bank, at the press conference to officially unveil EmbertoRemember, held on 17 August 2026 in Abuja.
In a major effort to elevate Nigeria’s cultural footprint, the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy has officially unveiled “Ember to Remember 2026.” Developed in strategic collaboration with tech platform MyCityApp, the project introduces a 100-day national tourism season spanning from September through December. The initiative aims to align hospitality, transport, entertainment, commerce, and local arts into a unified national tourism campaign that positions Nigeria as a top year-round destination.
Expanding December’s Magic into a 100-Day Economic Engine
Announcing the initiative during a press briefing in Abuja, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, emphasized that while December has long been celebrated for family reunions and festivities, Nigeria’s rich heritage, culinary scenes, music, and fashion deserve structured visibility throughout the entire final quarter of the year.
“What has been missing is a deliberate structure that brings these experiences together, gives them visibility, and allows us to market them as one powerful national story,” Musawa explained. By stretching the traditional holiday festivities into a 100-day national program, the Federal Government aims to turn cultural events into a sustainable, multi-billion naira economic growth engine for local business owners, flight providers, and hospitality operators.
MyCityApp To Power Events Calendar Across 36 States
Central to the initiative is the National Digital Events and Experiences Calendar, powered by MyCityApp. This central digital hub gives residents, diaspora members, and international travelers a real-time portal to discover cultural festivals, concerts, culinary fairs, and eco-tourism destinations across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Ifeoma Mbonu, Chief Executive Officer of MyCityApp, highlighted that the platform bridges the gap between event organizers and global visitors. Mbonu urged creative producers and festival organizers nationwide to list their activities in the dedicated ‘Ember2Remember’ section of the platform. By centralizing event discovery, the application will convert consumer interest into direct spending across aviation, hotels, local dining, transport, and retail networks.
Stakeholders Conference and Opportunities for Event Organizers
The national campaign will officially flag off on September 14, 2026, with the Ember to Remember National Stakeholders Conference at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos. The conference will bring together state tourism boards, private sector partners, financial hubs, creative agencies, and media groups to reveal the final master calendar and synchronize operations ahead of the season opening.
