ABUJA—Senior Advocate of Nigeria and public policy advocate, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, has urged Nigerian state governments and the Federal Capital Territory Administration to transform the country’s night-time hours into a structured economic sector that can generate jobs, reduce crime, and reposition Nigeria as a modern, investment-friendly nation.
In a policy document dated August 6, 2025, titled “Revitalizing Nigeria’s Nightlife Economy: A Strategic Pathway to Economic Growth, Job Creation, Crime Reduction, and Urban Renewal,” Ubani called on all 36 governors and the FCT Minister to adopt deliberate, multi-sectoral strategies to develop a vibrant night economy across their regions.
He noted that globally, countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, South Africa, and Kenya have built multi-billion-dollar night economies that boost employment, attract tourism, and foster social inclusion. “Nigeria is naturally positioned to lead in Africa due to its large youth population and creative potential,” Ubani said. “But we have failed to unlock the value of our nights due to insecurity, poor infrastructure, and lack of coordinated governance.”
He described the night economy as encompassing business and social activities between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., including entertainment, hospitality, transportation, logistics, night markets, security, and creative industries. These, he said, are key sectors that can offer millions of low-, mid-, and high-skill jobs, particularly for youth and women.
Citing data from the UK’s Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA), which recorded 1.9 million jobs tied to nightlife in 2023, Ubani argued that Nigeria has the capacity to exceed that number if the right policies are put in place.
He noted that DJs, chefs, event planners, waiters, taxi drivers, delivery riders, security guards, content creators, and app developers can all earn meaningful incomes from a structured night economy.
He emphasized that beyond employment, a thriving nightlife sector reduces crime and youth restiveness. “Idle youth are more likely to fall into cultism, drug abuse, or violent crime,” he warned.
“But when they are engaged in income-generating activities at night, they become stakeholders in peace and prosperity.”
Ubani pointed out that well-lit, busy night districts often experience lower crime rates, especially when supported by organized security and community policing.
He added that building trust between law enforcement and youth through safe, regulated night environments can improve public safety and civic participation.
He also highlighted the opportunity to rebrand Nigerian cities through nightlife.
According to him, cities like Cape Town, Nairobi, and Accra are already gaining global recognition for their vibrant, safe, and organized nightlife.
“Nigeria is home to globally admired music, film, and fashion. If we build infrastructure and policies around these strengths, our nights can become a showcase of national pride and a magnet for tourism and investment.”
To implement this vision, Ubani outlined a three-phase strategy. In the short term, he urged governments to set up Night Economy Task Forces, carry out feasibility studies, and pilot safe night-time business zones.
Over the medium term, he recommended creating designated Night Economy Districts (NEDs), fostering community-police partnerships, and encouraging youth cooperatives in entertainment and hospitality.
For the long term, he advocated for a 24-hour city model in urban and semi-urban areas, along with a Night Economy Dashboard to monitor job creation, crime rates, and revenue.
Ubani concluded by urging national and state policymakers to act with urgency. “In a country where over 50 million young people are looking for economic inclusion, the night economy is not an option—it is a necessity,” he said.
“We must turn our nights into goldmines of opportunity, not battlegrounds of despair. Let us build cities that work 24/7—not just to stay awake, but to thrive.”