The Federal Government has announced plans to establish a Presidential Task Force on Detty December to coordinate inter-agency activities and promote Nigeria’s global image as a festive destination.
Detty December, Nigeria’s signature month-long celebration of music, parties, weddings, and cultural events, has become a magnet for the diaspora, whose return each year injects millions into the economy through hospitality, entertainment, and retail spending.
Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, disclosed the initiative on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to Musawa, the Task Force will bring together key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), including aviation, interior, and power, to support Lagos and other states in optimizing the festive season’s economic and tourism potential.
"This initiative will help Nigeria position itself as a global festive destination while strengthening inter-agency coordination," she said.
The minister also announced that the FEC approved the creation of Tourism and Cultural Economic Zones across Nigeria’s six geopolitical regions and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
She explained that each zone would showcase regional cultural strengths and creative potential to drive economic growth and attract investment.
"The Council approved the establishment of Tourism and Cultural Economic Zones across the country, one in each of the six geopolitical zones and the FCT.
"These zones will harness the peculiar cultural and creative assets of every state, working closely with state governments to project their unique tourism identities," Musawa said.
She added that the model mirrors successful tourism strategies in countries such as Mexico and Saudi Arabia, where key destinations are developed into globally recognised hubs.
"We plan to build on iconic Nigerian destinations such as Obudu, Yankari, and Coco Beach, and brand them as standalone tourism centres," she said.
Musawa further revealed that the FEC approved the adoption of Naija Season, a national tourism brand developed by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), to showcase Nigerian festivals year-round.
Additionally, the Council endorsed the reactivation of the Presidential Council on Tourism Promotion and Investment, chaired by President Tinubu, to strengthen inter-ministerial collaboration and project Nigeria’s image of peace, unity, and stability internationally.
The minister also disclosed that the FEC approved a cross-sectoral memorandum on Intellectual Property (IP) reforms, jointly developed by the Ministries of Industry, Trade and Investment; Justice; and Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy.
She said the IP framework would enable Nigerian creatives to use their intellectual property as collateral for funding and to protect their innovations.
"It’s a new dawn for Nigeria’s creative industry, one that gives our artists the power to own, protect, and profit from their ideas," Musawa said.
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