Manny Ita
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a strategic shift in its approach to national tourism, with preparations for the 2026 festive season—widely known as “Detty December”—set to commence as early as March. Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, confirmed this week that the early start is intended to transform the year-end celebrations from a social trend into a structured “national asset.” By initiating the planning phase ten months in advance, the Ministry aims to present a comprehensive proposal to the Federal Executive Council that coordinates inter-ministerial efforts across aviation, security, and infrastructure.
A central pillar of the 2026 strategy is the deliberate expansion of festive content to regions outside of Lagos, which has traditionally served as the primary hub for international arrivals and major events. Minister Musawa identified Plateau, Enugu, and Cross River as key states earmarked for increased federal support and cultural programming. “Obviously, when you talk about December now anywhere in the world, Lagos is really the choice destination for anyone to come,” the Minister stated, while emphasizing the need to “attract people to experience other parts of Nigeria” by boosting heritage festivals and eco-tourism offerings in the South East and North Central zones.
The decision to begin early planning follows an “interrogation” of the 2025 season, which, despite high tourist inflow, exposed significant structural gaps. The Ministry cited inadequate accommodation, traffic congestion in metropolitan hubs, and price inflation by service providers as critical challenges that threatened the visitor experience. To mitigate these issues, the government is looking toward regulatory interventions to stabilize pricing and is advocating for increased investment in five-star hospitality and road infrastructure through the newly approved Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation.
Furthermore, the 2026 roadmap includes specific focus on improving the “arrival experience” for the diaspora and international tourists. This includes ongoing upgrades at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and the implementation of the “Naija Season” initiative—a nationwide cultural calendar designed to promote Nigeria’s diversity. By addressing these “interdependencies” early in the year, the Federal Government seeks to solidify Nigeria’s position as Africa’s premier holiday destination while ensuring that the economic gains of the festive boom are felt more equitably across the federation.
