The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy (FMACTCE), following the success of Detty December 2024, is rolling out plans to boost Nigeria’s tourism sector, with a keen focus on enhancing the Detty December festivities for 2025 and beyond.
These efforts, unveiled during the inaugural National Tourism Summit organised by FMACTCE in partnership with Koko Beach Hotel and Resort, aim to improve accessibility, security, and infrastructure to accommodate the expected surge of domestic and international visitors.
Detty December, a vibrant period of cultural events, concerts, and tourism activities, has long been a staple in Nigeria’s festive calendar. However, the 2024 edition marked a turning point, gaining unprecedented buzz post-COVID.
The Ministry’s vision: Showcasing culture, driving economic growth
Hannatu Musawa, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, in her keynote address, highlighted the need for the government to make it easier for international visitors to enter and leave Nigeria as a critical step toward unlocking the country’s tourism prospects. The minister linked tourism development to President Bola Tinubu’s vision of diversifying Nigeria’s economy beyond oil.
“We as a government have to improve access to tourism,” she said. “The infrastructure that needs to be put in place to allow that sector to grow is something that we have not done. We have to make it easy for the international community to access and leave the country.”
Security was also a key focus of the minister’s speech. While acknowledging that it falls outside her direct mandate, she pledged to collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure safety at tourism destinations. “When the world comes into Nigeria, they can come in with the reassurance that they will be secure,” she said, highlighting the government’s commitment to creating a safe environment for visitors.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) were highlighted as a cornerstone of the government’s strategy. “The private sector has been able to grow the industry organically in spite of the government,” the minister said. “Now it is important for the government to come in and put in the right mentality, platform, quality, and infrastructure.”
The minister’s “Destination 2030” initiative also aims to position Nigeria as a global tourism hub by leveraging its creative and tourism industries.
Faiz Nura Imam, Principal Advisor FMACTCE, outlined key programs designed to highlight Nigeria’s rich heritage while strengthening the tourism and creative economy sectors.
The National Culture and Tourism Grant, which was recently approved by the Federal Executive Council, will fund national projects under the “Nigeria Everywhere” platform, creating a unified approach to cultural and tourism development.
The Renewed Cultural Project initiative will see the ministry partner with state governments to identify and develop sub-national tourism and cultural projects, ensuring a decentralised yet coordinated growth strategy. Finally, the Naija Season, which is a quarterly celebration of Nigerian heritage, culture, and tourism, with the final quarter dedicated to Detty December, alongside festivals and arts in other periods.
Imam emphasised the need for a data-driven, unified plan to scale the sector. “To move from our current $10-12 billion contribution to GDP to our target of $100 billion by 2031, we need a clear agenda that everyone rallies around,” he said, citing Saudi Arabia and the UAE as benchmarks.
On the aviation side, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is tackling the aviation side of the equation, ensuring Nigeria’s airports can handle the anticipated increase in traffic. Olubunmi Kuku, FAAN’s Managing Director, during a panel session highlighted several efforts, such as Data harmonisation, where she explained that FAAN is collaborating with the Ministry, state governments, and Nigerian Immigration Services to align passenger data, addressing discrepancies that hinder planning.
Kuku also mentioned that rehabilitation work is underway at airports in Benin, Akure, Ibadan, and Abuja, with significant upgrades planned for Lagos, Nigeria’s busiest hub. She also mentioned rolling out internet infrastructure and advanced security equipment to reduce manual checks, drawing inspiration from efficient airports like Milan’s Linate, which handles 16 million passengers annually with limited resources compared to Nigeria’s 29 airports serving 15.1 million.
According to Kuku, FAAN is also working with the Nigerian Travel Agencies Association, tour operators, and the Airline Association of Nigeria to improve connectivity. Support for the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) initiative aims to enhance regional travel, while credit enhancement facilities are being explored to help airlines lease more aircraft to meet demand.
Private organisations are not left behind, as event organizers such as Flytime Group, who have been organising musical festivals for 20 years and promoting the Nigerian music scene locally, are already on the ground for another epic show this year, as revealed by Bukky Akomolafe, Chief Business Officer, Flytime Group.
As Nigeria prepares for Detty December 2025, these efforts promise to elevate the festive season into a global attraction, drawing more visitors to experience its beaches, nightlife, and cultural heritage.
