The much-anticipated “MyLagos App,” launched by the Lagos State Government in partnership with MTN Nigeria, has stirred controversy following its unavailability on major app stores. Despite the fanfare surrounding its unveiling on March 13, searches for the app on Google Play Store and Apple Store have yielded no results, leaving Lagosians puzzled and questioning the rollout of the digital platform.
The app was introduced as a groundbreaking solution to simplify city navigation and improve the urban experience for residents of Lagos. According to Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the app is designed to provide seamless access to essential services such as real-time traffic updates, emergency services, utility payments, business listings, and tourism information. He described it as a step forward in leveraging technology to enhance governance and improve the quality of life in Africa’s most populous city.
However, hours after its launch, attempts to locate the app on Google Play Store resulted in a “No results for MyLagos App” message. Similar searches on Apple Store also failed to produce any results, even when variations like “My Lagos” were tried. Technext reporters reached out to individuals in Lagos to confirm if the app might be location-specific, but they encountered the same issue: the app was nowhere to be found.
Further investigation revealed a curious link between the newly launched app and an existing platform called “MyLagosApp,” developed by Paperworks First Real Nigeria Limited. A visit to the website www.mylagosapp.mobi showed striking similarities between the two platforms, including identical features such as traffic updates, security alerts, trending news, tourism information, job listings, and transport services. The website also displayed reviews dating back as far as 2016 and 2018, raising questions about whether the newly launched app is an original creation or a rebranded version of an older product.
Efforts to contact Paperworks First Real Nigeria Limited for clarification were unsuccessful. Additionally, clicking on the “Download App on Google Play” link on their website led to an error message stating “Item not found.”
During the launch event, MTN’s Manager of Digital Channel Management, Abdulhakeem Giwa, described the app as revolutionary and capable of transforming urban living in Lagos. He emphasized its potential for better navigation and real-time solutions for residents. However, with its absence from app stores and similarities to an existing platform, doubts have emerged about whether this initiative truly represents a new technological milestone or merely repackages an older concept.
The controversy surrounding the “MyLagos App” raises broader concerns about government-led tech initiatives in Nigeria. It highlights issues of transparency and execution that could affect public trust in similar projects going forward. While stakeholders touted the app as a symbol of Lagos State’s commitment to digital transformation, its unavailability has cast a shadow over these claims.
