FG launches Presidential task force to boost 'detty december' tourism boom

In a move to capitalize on Nigeria’s thriving end-of-year festival scene, the Federal Executive Council has proposed creating a Presidential Task Force dedicated to ‘Detty December.’

The initiative aims to strategically coordinate and brand the country as a premier global destination for tourism and cultural events during the holiday season.

The Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, announced this after the Council’s meeting at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.

She stated that the task force will unify federal and state-level efforts, with a particular focus on supporting Lagos, which hosts the highest concentration of events and inbound diaspora visitors.

The inter-agency body will bring together key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs)—such as those for aviation, interior, and power—to ensure a seamless experience for international visitors and maximize the economic potential of the season.

Furthermore, the Council officially adopted key national tourism brands, including “Naija Season,” a year-round calendar of festivals, and the popular “Detty December,” elevating them to the status of presidential initiatives.

According to Musawa, this government backing is designed to attract private-sector investment and strengthen Nigeria’s soft power. The ‘Detty December’ phenomenon, known for its wave of concerts, fashion shows, and cultural festivals, has evolved into a major economic driver, generating significant revenue for the hospitality, travel, and creative industries.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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