Nigeria to cash in on huge success of 'Detty December'

Nigeria is seeking to capitalise on an end-of-year extravaganza that's become the most profitable month for its commercial capital's tourism sector in a bid to grow the economy and attract foreign currency.

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Revellers who visited Lagos for Detty December, a month filled with concerts, beach activities, bar and restaurant visits, that's also popular in other parts of West Africa, boosted the state's coffers by $71.6 million, Idris Aregbe, special advisor to the Lagos state governor on tourism, arts and culture said on Monday.

Detty December festivities also attracted more than 1.2 million visitors to Lagos, with 90% of the 550,000 inbound air passengers coming from the Nigerian diaspora, according to the report produced by consulting firm MO Africa for Lagos state.