Lagos has once again gained international recognition, ranking 14th among the world’s top nightlife cities and securing the second spot in Africa, just behind Cape Town, South Africa.
The ranking, released by global lifestyle publication Time Out Magazine, was based on surveys of thousands of city residents and insights from nightlife experts to evaluate the vibrancy of nightlife across major cities worldwide.
According to the report, 79 percent of Lagos residents gave favorable reviews of the city’s nightlife, highlighting its dynamic energy, cultural diversity, and the growth of its scene—from upscale lounges to inclusive underground raves.
In the African context, Lagos outpaced other major cities, including Cairo, Egypt (ranked 15th), and Marrakech, Morocco (ranked 19th), reinforcing its status as a premier entertainment and cultural hub.
Reacting to the recognition, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the ranking reflects the positive results of the state’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its security and tourism infrastructure.
“It shows that the security architecture put in place by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is working. It speaks to the number of tourists who pour into Lagos daily and the success of the last Detty December,” he noted.
Omotoso revealed that the state government is planning to institutionalise its tourism calendar, especially focusing on major events in the final quarter of the year. He also announced that Lagos will become the first African city to host the prestigious EI (water race) Championship later in 2025.
“The end-of-the-year events, popularly described as Detty December, always have huge positive effects on the socio-economic landscape of the state,” he added.
Time Out highlighted that nightlife has taken on diverse forms across cities globally, adapting to the evolving preferences of urban dwellers, a transformation Lagos has embraced with remarkable vibrancy.
This recognition comes on the heels of Lagos’ previous inclusion in Time Out’s September 2024 list of top nightlife cities, where it ranked 6th globally, surpassing international metropolises like Rotterdam and Manchester.
Since its establishment in 1968, Time Out Magazine has served as a trusted guide to urban experiences, operating in over 330 cities across 59 countries.
Top 20 Cities for Nightlife in 2025, as ranked by Time Out Magazine:
Las Vegas
Madrid
Paris
Shanghai
Berlin
Melbourne
Brighton
Mexico City
Dubai
Mumbai
Cape Town
Warsaw
Bangkok
Lagos
Cairo
Riyadh
Amsterdam
Medellín
Marrakech
Athens
