by ‘Jola Sotubo

The vibrant party scene in Lagos has been analyzed and according to Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, it has staggering financial implications.

The governor over the weekend said that more than N36 billion was spent annually by residents of Lagos in organizing different social events and parties popularly known as “owambe”.

This came as the governor reportedly said the solution to the unemployment crisis in the country did not require any foreign idea, saying “the answer is a Made in Nigeria strategy.”

The governor spoke at the fourth edition of the Lagos Ignite Enterprise and Employability project, a joint youth empowerment programme between the government and the Afterschool Graduate Development Centre, AGDC.

The event attracted hundreds of youths, ex-Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, Ali Baba among other dignitaries.

Fashola explained that the figure was collated after a careful study of social events especially party life in Lagos.

According to him, “this was the study of night life carried out by the government in five local governments including Agege, Mushin, Ifako-Ijaiye and Ikeja and another local government. It showed that more than N36 billion was spent on 1555 parties held within the period.

“We did a study between October and November last year, we took just five local governments in Lagos; Agege, Mushin, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ikeja and another one.

“We studied from Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, three days every week for four weeks which was 12 nights.

“In 12 nights, 1555 parties were held in these local governments. In terms of drinks, food and all other engagements during such parties, about N1.2 billion was spent and when we dis-aggregated them we saw how much went to DJ, MC, food and drinks, the total picture in the state now and I don’t want to give you a wrong number but it’s something in the region of about N3 billion monthly on that side of our life and people are playing and impacting on that side of our economy.

The governor noted that clothing materials worn during such parties popularly called “Aso-ebi” gulped at least N1.2 billion monthly, saying the market is huge with much yet to be tapped from it.”