The United States emerged as the largest source of diaspora visitors to Lagos during the 2025 Detty December season, overtaking the United Kingdom for the first time, according to a report by MO Africa Co titled The Economics of Euphoria: Lagos’ Detty December 2025.

Travelers starting their journey in the United States accounted for 27 percent of all international arrivals, ahead of the United Kingdom, marking a shift in diaspora travel patterns and signalling changes in visitor flows linked to Lagos’ end-of-year events.

“The most significant shift of 2025 was the United States taking the top spot. Travelers starting their journey in the US accounted for 27 percent of all arrivals, overtaking the UK for the first time,” the report stated.

The report linked the development to increased participation among Nigerian-Americans and the global reach of previous editions of the event.

“The viral success of the previous year’s festivities created a powerful ‘FOMO’ (Fear Of Missing Out) effect across the Nigerian-American diaspora,” it added.

U.S.-based travelers departed from cities such as Houston and Atlanta, often using connecting flights through Europe and the Middle East before arriving in Lagos.

Beyond the United States and the United Kingdom, other source markets included Europe, which accounted for 12 percent of arrivals, Canada at 11 percent, the African region at 10 percent, Asia and the Middle East, and the rest of the world at 9 percent, indicating a spread of international participation.

The report showed that about 3.6 million people participated in the 55-day period from mid-November 2025 to January 10, 2026. More than 70 percent of attendees were Gen Z and Millennial travelers, reflecting the role of digital platforms and music-driven culture in shaping travel decisions.

Diaspora visitors played a central role in economic activity during the period, contributing 55 percent of total consumer spending, which reached N396.54 billion. Hospitality and accommodation accounted for the largest share at N175.40 billion, representing 44.23 percent, followed by entertainment and nightlife at N129.55 billion or 32.67 percent. Food and dining contributed 12.91 percent, while fashion, retail, and wellness made up the remainder.

In addition to in-country spending, diaspora travelers spent an estimated $384.5 million on air travel, indicating the scale of international movement linked to the event.

The report also noted that participation from Nigerian-Americans, estimated at over 700,000 people in the United States, is shaping travel flows, consumption patterns, and cultural exchange linked to Lagos.

Economic activity during the period was concentrated in Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Lekki, which accounted for a large share of high-value transactions, while the mainland recorded higher foot traffic across events and related activities.

The influx of visitors placed pressure on infrastructure, with Lagos operating at about 238 percent of its designed human capacity. This resulted in congestion, increased waste generation, and strain on transport systems across key parts of the city.

An estimated N19 billion was spent on logistics, security, and operational support, pointing to a layer of economic activity beyond direct consumer spending.

The report said the scale of diaspora participation highlights the role of Detty December as a revenue driver linked to tourism, entertainment, and hospitality, with spending patterns reflecting demand for accommodation, events, dining, and retail.

Data from the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture showed that the 2024 Detty December period generated $71.6 million across hospitality, tourism, and entertainment. Hotels accounted for $44 million, while short-let apartments contributed $13 million, driven by demand from both domestic and international visitors for accommodation, concerts, parties, and cultural events.

These trends laid the groundwork for the higher participation and spending levels recorded in 2025. (Business Day)

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