Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling commercial hub, has earned international recognition for its vibrant nightlife, securing a place among the world’s top cities for after-dark entertainment.
The prestigious Time Out Magazine has positioned Lagos as the second-best nightlife destination in Africa, only surpassed by Cape Town, South Africa.
According to the renowned global media and entertainment brand, a significant 79% of Lagosian residents surveyed offered a positive assessment of their city’s nocturnal scene.
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This strong local endorsement helped Lagos outrank other major African cities, with Cairo, Egypt, placing third and Marrakech, Morocco, securing the fourth spot.
The magazine highlighted a notable evolution within Lagos’s nightlife landscape, observing a shift from traditional, exclusive lounges towards more inclusive, energetic underground rave events, exemplified by popular gatherings like ‘SweatItOutLagos’ and ‘Our Group Therapy.’
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, lauded the ranking as a direct testament to the enhanced security and safety measures implemented across the state.
“It shows that the security architecture put in place by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is working,” Omotoso stated.
He further linked the accolade to the increasing influx of tourists and the resounding success of the state’s annual ‘Detty December’ festivities.
Looking ahead, he said Sanwo-Olu’s administration is actively planning to regularise and calendarise various tourism activities, particularly those concentrated in the final quarter of the year.
According to him, Lagos is also set to make history by becoming the first African city to host the prestigious EI (water race) Championship.
Additionally, Omotoso noted that the African Union (AU) has chosen the state as the host city for the African Music Awards, scheduled from November 25 to 30, further bolstering the state’s international profile.
These year-end events, colloquially known as ‘Detty December’ consistently generate substantial positive impacts on the state’s socio-economic fabric.
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The magazine’s ranking methodology involved surveying thousands of city-dwellers and consulting a panel of experts.
The publication noted that nightlife worldwide is continually adapting to changing social habits, and its aim was to identify cities that excel in offering exceptional post-dark experiences.
