₦airaland Forum

Legal luminary and public policy advocate, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN, has urged state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to adopt a deliberate policy of developing a structured night-time economy as a means of creating jobs, reducing crime, driving urban renewal, and rebranding Nigeria’s global image.

In a policy paper dated August 6, 2025, titled “Revitalizing Nigeria’s Nightlife Economy: A Strategic Pathway to Economic Growth, Job Creation, Crime Reduction, and Urban Renewal”, Ubani argued that transforming Nigeria’s largely underutilised night hours into hubs of economic and social activity could benefit millions of citizens.

The paper, addressed to all 36 state governors, the FCT Minister, and federal and state commissioners responsible for economic planning, tourism, security, youth development, and urban renewal, defined the night-time economy as activities between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., spanning entertainment, hospitality, transportation, logistics, security, night markets, and creative industries.

Ubani noted that these sectors form interconnected value chains capable of generating mass employment, especially for young people and women, if properly developed.

“A functioning night economy could absorb thousands of unemployed or underemployed Nigerians across sectors such as event promotion, hospitality, security, technology, and logistics,” he said, citing the UK Night-Time Industries Association report that the sector sustained 1.9 million jobs in 2023. He maintained that, with a population of over 220 million and a youth demographic of more than 60 percent, Nigeria could surpass such figures with the right policy frameworks.

Ubani described the night economy’s potential as offering a “triple dividend” of job creation, crime reduction, and national rebranding. He explained that creating economic opportunities for idle youth would reduce their vulnerability to crime, drug abuse, cultism, and unrest.

“A functional nightlife replaces gangs with sound systems, violence with creativity, and hopelessness with enterprise,” he said, adding that regulated night activities and proper street lighting have been proven to reduce petty crime and violence in other jurisdictions.

He further stressed that establishing supervised night zones could foster stronger relationships between youth and law enforcement while projecting Nigeria as a progressive and investment-ready African nation.

According to him, Nigeria’s global recognition in music, Nollywood, and fashion provides a strong foundation to position its cities as continental leaders in nightlife, similar to Cape Town, Nairobi, and Accra.

Thundafireseun:
People are looking for food to eat….

Insecurity has become a major issue and this Olodo is advocating for night life 😆😆😆

Kalulu44:
Hahaha, you dey mind dem.
Seun free me with this ur characters na

Thundafireseun:
People are looking for food to eat….

Insecurity has become a major issue and this Olodo is advocating for night life 😆😆😆

Ejebleje:
You clearly don't read.If you did,you will see the reason why he is advocating for a revitalization of the night economy

Thundafireseun:
People are looking for food to eat….

Insecurity has become a major issue and this Olodo is advocating for night life 😆😆😆

anyilalaz:
Night life economy when there is no security in the day let alone night.

No or very poor transport facilities like road, railway for the logistics, tourism etc

Even some of us working in Lagos and Ogun State, you have to leave your house around 5pm for a shift that starts 7pm because of insecurity and bad road.

Jokes everywhere.

Thundafireseun:
People are looking for food to eat….

Insecurity has become a major issue and this Olodo is advocating for night life 😆😆😆

Thundafireseun:
I read everything….

The dangers associated with Night life will not disappear because government wants to drag people into the streets from their houses at night….

Inflation…. EFCC harassment…. Petty theft…. most states in Nigeria have banned movement of public transportation from 9pm … making movement impossible….

Don’t be deceived Night life is not a wise choice to advocate for

Ejebleje:
The kinds of people who comment on nairaland these days ehn! Just exhausting !

Thundafireseun:
I read everything….

The dangers associated with Night life will not disappear because government wants to drag people into the streets from their houses at night….

Inflation…. EFCC harassment…. Petty theft…. most states in Nigeria have banned movement of public transportation from 9pm … making movement impossible….

Don’t be deceived Night life is not a wise choice to advocate for

Lithiumite:
He is very right....every modern economy should be a 24 hrs economy.....take Benin for example, everyone goes to bed by 9 pm....you can drive the entire Lagos rd and not see anyone at night......only airport rd and iyaro stays awake

Thundafireseun:
People are looking for food to eat….

Insecurity has become a major issue and this Olodo is advocating for night life 😆😆😆

Thundafireseun:
I read everything….

The dangers associated with Night life will not disappear because government wants to drag people into the streets from their houses at night….

Inflation…. EFCC harassment…. Petty theft…. most states in Nigeria have banned movement of public transportation from 9pm … making movement impossible….

Don’t be deceived Night life is not a wise choice to advocate for

Thundafireseun:
I read everything….

The dangers associated with Night life will not disappear because government wants to drag people into the streets from their houses at night….

Inflation…. EFCC harassment…. Petty theft…. most states in Nigeria have banned movement of public transportation from 9pm … making movement impossible….

Don’t be deceived Night life is not a wise choice to advocate for

ambale:
Night life will even reduce crime

Cos you know people will be outside

There's a reason they said it's easier to perpetuate evil in the dark sha

Many of the crimes and attacks are mostly midnights

So if many people are awake, how you wan take overrun them?

datola:
I support his position.. Night life is very good for the economy and will curb crime.

There are many business in Ikeja that run 24 hours, also Surulere and Lekki.

A particular Mall, Healthrite is opening everywhere in Lagos and they operate 24-7.

Thundafireseun:
People are looking for food to eat….

Insecurity has become a major issue and this Olodo is advocating for night life 😆😆😆