Abuja’s Groovy December Festival Eyes ₦11tn Tourism Windfall

By Oluwakemi Kindness

Abuja is set to take centre stage in Nigeria’s tourism calendar with the launch of Abuja Groovy December, a 16-day mega festival aiming to tap into the over ₦11 trillion in tourism revenue projected for 2025.

The festival scheduled to debut this December will feature more than 35 events across music, culture, sports, and business, with over 70% of activities taking place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

Chairman of Groovy December, Imoh Ebang, gave highlights to include jazz and Afrobeats concerts with top Nigerian artists, cultural showcases, kayaking, car racing, food and fashion fairs, football, chess, and snooker tournaments, as well as an “Emerging Abuja Marketplace” for SMEs.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Ebang, said the event is designed to position Abuja as Nigeria’s go-to year-end destination while boosting economic growth and job creation.

“This is more than entertainment. It’s about creating wealth for our people, supporting SMEs, and showing the world that Abuja is ready to compete globally,” Ebang said. “We invite corporate Nigeria, government agencies, and Nigerians in the diaspora to partner with us so we can capture a fair share of the projected ₦11 trillion tourism revenue for 2025.”

The festival will target domestic visitors from across Nigeria, Nigerians and Africans in the diaspora returning for the holidays, and international tourists seeking authentic African experiences.

Organisers say Abuja’s central location, planned infrastructure, natural beauty, and cooler climate give it an edge over other December destinations.

Partners already backing the initiative include several state governments, the FCT Department of Tourism, the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), the National Sports Commission (NSC), and the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO).

With its blend of entertainment, culture, and commerce, Abuja Groovy December is expected to not only boost the FCT’s internally generated revenue but also cement its reputation as a world-class tourism hub.