US Tops UK as Lagos Detty December Visitors Drive N396bn Spending Boom
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Lagos recorded a major shift in diaspora travel patterns during the 2025 Detty December season, with visitors from the United States emerging as the largest group of international arrivals, surpassing those from the United Kingdom for the first time.
A new economic report revealed that travellers departing from the U.S. accounted for 27 percent of total arrivals, reflecting growing interest among Nigerian-Americans and the global appeal of Lagos’ end-of-year festivities.
Overall participation reached about 3.6 million people between mid-November 2025 and January 10, 2026, with Gen Z and Millennial visitors making up more than 70 percent of attendees.
Diaspora visitors were responsible for over half of total spending, contributing to a combined N396.54 billion in economic activity. The hospitality sector led with the highest share, followed by entertainment, nightlife, and food services.
Spending extended beyond Nigeria, as travellers reportedly spent hundreds of millions of dollars on international flights, highlighting the global scale of the event.
High-value economic activities were concentrated in Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Lekki, while mainland areas saw increased crowd movement during events.
However, the surge in visitors also stretched Lagos’ infrastructure, resulting in congestion, waste management challenges, and pressure on transport systems.
The report concludes that Detty December has evolved into a major economic driver, strengthening Lagos’ position as a global cultural and tourism hub.
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