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.
Ubani’s recommendations include a phased approach:
Short term: Creation of Night Economy Task Forces, feasibility studies with youth inclusion, and piloting of safe zones with job incubation programs.
Medium term: Establishment of Night Economy Districts, infrastructure investments, institutionalised police-community partnerships, and promotion of youth-led cooperatives in hospitality and entertainment.
Long term: Expansion of 24-hour economic models to urban and semi-urban areas, introduction of a Night Economy Dashboard to monitor jobs and revenue, and implementation of evidence-based policies for sustainability.
Ubani warned that failure to act would exacerbate unemployment, insecurity, and underdevelopment.
“This is a call to action,” he said. “Let us awaken Nigeria’s nights—not into chaos, but into commerce, culture, and civic pride. Let us keep our youth engaged—not in violence or addiction, but in productive enterprise.”
