For Lagos businesses, spending by diaspora visitors represented an estimated 55% of a ₦396.54 billion Detty December consumer market in 2025, according to research firm MO Africa Co.
The firm estimates about 3.6 million participants over the 55-day festive season. It describes that figure as participants and does not say whether it represents a count of unique people. Its spending estimate covers purchases made in Lagos during the season.
Hospitality and accommodation was the largest category in the report, accounting for ₦175.40 billion, or 44.23% of the total. The category’s share shows the scale of spending on lodging and related services, but the report does not say how visitors paid for those purchases.
The World Bank reports that Nigeria received $22.79 billion in personal remittances in 2025, equivalent to 7.8% of gross domestic product. Those transfers and the Lagos spending estimate measure different economic activity: one records money received in Nigeria, while the other covers consumer purchases during a particular travel season. They should not be added together as a single measure of diaspora spending.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has separately urged Nigerians abroad to invest, as EconoTimes reported in its coverage of the commission’s diaspora investment appeal.
BusinessDay reported that Taye Falana, chief operating officer of 03 Capital, said visitors using foreign bank accounts may have difficulty paying with cards locally, obtaining naira and exchanging currency. The report did not estimate how many travelers encounter those problems. Falana’s company markets a payment product aimed at visitors.
03 Capital’s product page says Blink can be funded with an international bank card, convert funds to naira and be used for local purchases or ATM withdrawals without a Nigerian bank account. Blink’s product page claims more than 70,000 users but does not publish transaction success rates. Neither source quantifies how often visitors face payment problems. Blink’s product page lists some fees, but does not establish what visitors typically pay.
