Tourism: Groovy December Debuts In Abuja
Tourism: Groovy December Debuts In Abuja
Abuja is gearing up to position itself as Nigeria’s premier year-end tourism destination with the launch of ‘Abuja Groovy December, a 16-day festival projected to draw significant tourism and economic investments into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and beyond.
Organizers say the event could contribute to a projected ₦11 trillion in national tourism revenue, while boosting Abuja’s profile as a hub for culture, entertainment, and adventure tourism.
Scheduled for December 15–31, 2025, the festival is part of the Emerging Abuja Program.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the Chairman of Abuja Groovy December, Imoh Ebong, said the festival will attract visitors from across Nigeria, the African diaspora, and West African nations, with activities designed to create jobs, support small businesses, and raise internally generated revenue (IGR) for the FCT Administration (FCTA).
“Tourism has the potential to reduce unemployment in Nigeria within a decade if we collectively encourage it,” Ebang said, noting that many of Nigeria’s tourism destinations remain underdeveloped.
According to him, the festival will feature over 35 events, with 70% taking place at the Moshood Abiola Stadium.
The highlights, he said include Afrobeats concerts with top artists, a jazz festival, cultural showcases, kayaking, culinary fairs, fashion shows, car racing, football tournaments, and an emerging Abuja marketplace.
He said States and individuals will also compete for prizes in various contests.
Ebong described AGD’s mission as creating a flagship celebration blending Nigerian and African culture, cuisine, music, sports, and luxury experiences, with the vision of making Abuja the definitive December destination in West Africa.
He pointed to the city’s advantages of spacious layout, natural beauty, cooler climate, and status as the capital, which makes it ideal for hosting large-scale festivals.
“We intend to offer a sophisticated, diverse, and less congested experience, blending world-class entertainment with exclusive Abuja adventures,” he said.
The event targets domestic travellers, young professionals, families, cultural enthusiasts, and adventure seekers, while also catering to Nigerians and Africans in the diaspora and international tourists.
Noting that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s development vision, Ebong emphasized security, national image, and community involvement as key to the festival’s success.
“We must all become tourism ambassadors,” he said, urging Nigerians to counter negative portrayals of the country.
He appealed for cooperation in ensuring safety, obeying traffic rules, and supporting a “Clean Abuja” campaign ahead of the festival, while disclosing that security agencies have been enlisted to deliver full security throughout the 24-hour, 16-day event.
Ebong commended existing partners, including state governments, the FCT Department of Tourism, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), National Sports Commission (NSC), and diaspora organizations such as the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Europe (NIDOE).
He urged private investors, government agencies, and Nigerians abroad to back tourism infrastructure and event sponsorships.
Football legend and brand ambassador Samson Siasia said his decision to back the festival was rooted in tourism, “Everyone is going to Lagos. This is the federal capital, why can’t we bring this movement back to Abuja?”, he noted.
Beyond lending his name, Siasia said he planned to use the platform to showcase young talent from sports academies, adding a competitive sporting edge to the cultural celebration.
Kenneth Ibekalu, programme coordinator of the broader “Nigerian Abuja” initiative, warned that failing to develop local attractions could mean losing access to global tourism funding.
He said tourism could address unemployment without the risks of crime, offering “multi-sector impact” across hospitality, culture, entertainment, and infrastructure.
While financial projections remain under wraps pending further partnerships, Ibekalu confirmed growing buy-in from states and private stakeholders nationwide.
“This is not just an Abuja thing, it’s a Nigerian project, open to every state and citizen,” he said.
He described Groovy December as one of several enabler projects aimed at rebranding Abuja, with FCTA approval already secured to attract 20 million annual tourists within four years.
“Nigeria’s current global tourism ranking of 164th is abysmal, he said, but this initiative aims to reverse it within five years by reviving dormant attractions like Karishi Waterfalls and unveiling a tourism-focused ‘City within a city’ dedicated 90% to culture, entertainment, and leisure”.
The envisioned city would feature attractions to rival Hollywood and Disney, with Formula 1-style racing already part of the Groovy December programme, including live concerts, cultural fairs, culinary showcases, and sports tournaments, he disclosed.
He assured that the Abuja Groovy December will boost small businesses, hospitality, and transport services, while transforming Abuja into a global tourism hotspot.
Noting that seventy percent of activities will take place at Moshood Abiola Stadium, with additional events at Eagle Square, Ibekalu assured, saying, “What you’ll see this December is just the tip of the iceberg. Abuja will be lit up,”