A tourism expert has highlighted the growing impact of Nigeria’s popular Detty December season, noting that the annual end-of-year festivities are increasingly strengthening ties between Nigeria and the African diaspora while also creating new tourism and investment opportunities.
Speaking during a Naija7Wonders Zoom conference, the CEO of Global Anago Adventures Limited, James Akeem Anago-Osho shared observations from the 2025 Detty December season, revealing that many visitors from the Americas expressed a strong desire to deepen their connection with Nigeria, including seeking citizenship, acquiring land, and establishing businesses in the country.
According to him, several diaspora visitors who came to Nigeria in 2025 later returned with more friends and relatives after sharing their experiences back home, describing this trend as a positive development that enhances Nigeria’s global image and highlights growing international interest in the country.
Anago-Osho explained that from his personal observations, visitors to Nigeria during Detty December generally fall into four main categories. These include intentional visitors who travel for specific personal reasons, leisure seekers who come to experience Nigeria’s vibrant nightlife and entertainment culture, curious visitors interested in discovering what makes Nigerians unique, and investors exploring business opportunities in the country.
He illustrated this trend with the example of a young American who visited Nigeria for the first time during the festive season and quickly immersed himself in the culture, sampling traditional foods such as jollof rice and amala while learning more about his heritage.
“This kind of experience creates cultural reconnection,” he said, adding that many members of the African diaspora view visits to Nigeria as an opportunity to reconnect with their roots, learn about Nigerian traditions, and establish relationships with extended family members.
Beyond cultural exchange, he noted that Detty December is also driving the rise of business tourism, as many visitors combine leisure with business exploration. According to him, some visitors conduct informal market research, meet potential partners, and explore investment opportunities while attending events and festivals.
He cited the case of a Nigerian living in the United Kingdom who returned home during the festive season and ended up purchasing property in Lagos after discovering new opportunities during his visit.
Anago-Osho also observed that the growing international attention surrounding Detty December has encouraged Nigerian businesses, particularly in the hospitality, tourism, and entertainment sectors, to improve service standards in order to meet the expectations of international visitors.
He further noted that the tourism season is gradually expanding beyond December, with some visitors arriving as early as November and others staying into January to avoid the peak-season rush.
According to him, this trend presents an opportunity for government agencies and tourism stakeholders to develop a structured three-month tourism calendar that would sustain activities and attract visitors throughout the period.
Anago-Osho emphasized that every state in Nigeria can benefit from the influx of international visitors if they develop attractive tourism programs and support local businesses. He also called for stronger collaboration between state governments and airlines to promote tourism events and destinations across the country.
In addition, he recommended that tourism ministries establish dedicated information platforms and produce Detty December event brochures to help visitors easily access information about activities, travel packages, and tourism destinations.
He also stressed the importance of social media in promoting the Detty December phenomenon, noting that digital platforms have played a crucial role in building communities and showcasing Nigeria’s culture to global audiences.
If properly managed, he concluded, Detty December could become a sustainable tourism driver capable of creating opportunities for Nigerians across sectors including hospitality, entertainment, transportation, and tour operations.
