In a Nov. 12 analysis published by Premium Times, media marketing and growth strategist Solomon Sanusi urged Nigerian officials and businesses to measure Detty December across more sectors, as Lagos estimates use different periods and spending categories.
Lagos State’s 2025 Economic Development Update reports more than $71.6 million in tourism, hospitality and entertainment activity during December 2024. MO Africa Co.’s website lists a rounded ₦396.5 billion estimate for its 2025 Detty December report. Premium Times reported that the more precise ₦396.54 billion estimate covered consumer spending over 55 days, beginning in mid-November 2025 and ending Jan. 10, 2026. The different time frames and measures do not establish year-over-year growth, and the state update gives no state tax-revenue total.
Premium Times also reported that MO Africa’s 2024 assessment counted about 1.2 million visitors and ₦111.5 billion in combined tourism and entertainment revenue. The outlet said the survey drew on hotels, airports, short-let agents and nightclubs between Nov. 19 and Dec. 26, 2024. The assessment attributed about ₦54 billion to hotels and ₦21 billion to short-let apartments.
Sanusi wants public agencies and businesses to track visitor numbers, spending, jobs and business returns across accommodation, food, transport, retail and entertainment. He also warns that seasonal demand can bring congestion, higher prices, noise, waste and housing strain for residents.
For a planning example, Sanusi points to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. An International Monetary Fund staff paper estimated that visitor spending and tournament-related broadcasting revenue totaled $2.3 billion to $4.1 billion, equivalent to $1.6 billion to $2.4 billion in gross value added, or 0.7% to 1.0% of Qatar’s 2022 gross domestic product. The paper traces a substantial share of Qatar’s non-hydrocarbon expansion in the 10 years before the event to government investment in infrastructure. The World Cup was a one-time event, unlike Lagos’ recurring festive season.
Sanusi proposed a stakeholder review on Dec. 30, followed by a comprehensive report after the season. He said the report should explain its data and methods.
