DETTY DECEMBER: ATPN PRESIDENT TELLS NIGERIANS IN DIASPORA TO TURN FESTIVE FUN INTO INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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The President of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria, Femi Fadina, has urged Nigerians residing abroad to transform their annual holiday returns into strategic investment prospects that will enhance and sustain the nation’s creative economy.

Fadina issued this appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Lagos.

In advance of the 2025 Detty December celebrations, the ATPN president encouraged the diaspora to view their visits as an opportunity for cultural and financial reinvestment rather than merely a time for enjoyment.

“Every concert, every curated experience, every cultural homecoming can – and should – be a conduit for investment engagement,” he asserted.

Fadina indicated that ATPN aims to transition Detty December from a focus solely on leisure to one that emphasizes funding, as part of a larger initiative to increase diaspora involvement in Nigeria’s creative economy from a marginal 15 percent to a robust 25 percent investment interest.

“Don’t just return home to celebrate. Come home to collaborate,” he stated.

Fadina pointed out that a significant portion of diaspora spending is directed toward family support, entertainment, and short-term consumption.

However, he emphasized that steps must be taken to ensure that diaspora capital is redirected towards development funding for long-term equity investments.

“The issue is not the volume of expenditure, but rather its allocation.

“The 2024 Detty December generated approximately N1.5 trillion in domestic spending across sectors such as hospitality, logistics, nightlife, and entertainment.

“Yet, less than 10 percent of that was reinvested into creative infrastructure or destination enhancement,” he remarked.

Fadina introduced a schedule of events for the 2025 festive period, which includes a Creative Capital Week, EWA Experience Series, and a Cultural Economy Roundtable intended to assess the economic impact of the celebrations.

He underscored that a shift in mindset regarding the forthcoming festivities is essential for converting Nigeria’s soft power into tangible development.

“We must transition from consumerism to capital formation, from fleeting spectacle to sustainable structure, from cultural excitement to cultural enterprise.

“Detty December is not merely a celebration; it is a platform for prosperity.

“Leisure must now finance the future,” he concluded.

(NAN)