ATPN President Urges Diaspora to Leverage “Detty December” for Long-Term Economic Growth
The President of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), Femi Fadina, has called on Nigerians living abroad to turn their annual festive homecomings into strategic investment opportunities that strengthen and sustain the nation’s creative economy.
Fadina, speaking ahead of the 2025 Detty December celebrations, urged the diaspora to view their visits not just as a season for leisure, but as a chance for cultural and financial reinvestment.
“Every concert, cultural experience, and festive gathering can serve as a bridge for investment engagement,” he said.
According to Fadina, ATPN seeks to shift Detty December from purely entertainment-focused events to a platform that promotes diaspora investment in Nigeria’s creative economy, increasing active participation from 15 per cent to 25 per cent.
“Don’t just come home to party. Come home to partner,” he emphasised.
He noted that much of diaspora spending currently goes toward family support, entertainment, and short-term consumption, and called for efforts to channel more of these funds into long-term development projects and creative infrastructure.
“The challenge isn’t how much is spent, but how the money is directed. The 2024 Detty December generated about N1.5 trillion in domestic spending, yet less than 10 per cent was reinvested into sustainable projects,” he said.
Fadina also unveiled a calendar for the 2025 festivities, including Creative Capital Week, the EWA Experience Series, and a Cultural Economy Roundtable, aimed at measuring the season’s economic impact and encouraging structured investment.
“Detty December is not just about celebration; it’s about creating opportunities, building structures, and turning cultural excitement into enterprise. Fun must now fund the future,” he said.