Detty December: A season that keeps Lagos awake

As the calendar of the year flipped to the month of December, bustling Lagos got a new energy which keeps fun life awake from dawn to dust due to the activities lined up for Detty December. Detty December is more than just a string of parties, it is a homecoming. Every year, the festivities draw […]

As the calendar of the year flipped to the month of December, bustling Lagos got a new energy which keeps fun life awake from dawn to dust due to the activities lined up for Detty December.

Detty December is more than just a string of parties, it is a homecoming. Every year, the festivities draw thousands of Nigerians across the world back to their roots. They are affectionately called IJGBs ( I Just Got Back), members of the diaspora who descend on Lagos in droves to reconnect, celebrate and immerse themselves in the pulse of the motherland.

Festivities during Detty December have become a cultural marathon of beach parties, rooftop raves, street carnivals and star-studded concerts. Each night, the city transforms into a kaleidoscope of lights, laughter and unfiltered joy.

Top Afrobeat artists – often home for the holidays – take over stages, filling the night air with thumping baselines and catchy hooks that refuse to fade, even after sunrise.

Since it commenced on Sunday, December 7, 2025, Ilubirin, a sand stretch on Lagos Island has become one of the major destination as fun lovers in their hundreds, who throng to witness the celebration.

Each scheduled day for musical shows is filled with pomp and pageantry as young men and women dance to the rhythm of pounding music, enjoy the colourful and glittering of two hundred dancers and aerial ballerina.

 

The aerial ballerina displays performance patterned in the western world culture  while 200 dancers choreographed as they serenaded the audience.

Top musical artistes, including award-winning singers, Darey, Bella Shmurda, Diamond Platinumz , Juma Jux are part of the artistes lined up to perform.

As the festivities are drawing close, all eyes are on Trevor George Smith Jr, known professionally as Busta Rhymes, an American rapper, record producer and actor who was billed to perform on Monday 29.

Busta has received 12 Grammy Award nominations, making him one of the most-nominated artists without a win. Billboard and Vibe ranked him among the 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time, while Forbes listed him among the greatest rappers on their list of the “50 Top Rappers of All Time.”

As Ilubirin still opens its door for one of the festival in Detty December, Nautica Beach Resort, Lekki, Lagos offered a four-day immersive celebration of music, culture and lifestyle designed to take African music to the world.

The four-day celebration tagged Shakara Festival was held from Thursday, December 18 to Sunday, December 21, 2025.

According to the organiser, Godson Oriaku, the festival is poised to become the ultimate destination for the annual ‘Detty December’ pilgrimage.

“We wanted to build something that was truly groundbreaking for the Nigerian music scene. Shakara is about authentic expression and creating a space where different sounds and people can connect. From soul and gospel to the grittiest Alté, we are unifying Africa’s diverse musical landscape in one massive celebration,” he said.

Abiola Francesca Dacosta-Ajayi, a founding partner of Shakara Festival, said the event was more than just a music event, describing it as a pioneering movement.

“We are creating a world-class platform to celebrate the richness of our culture and the incredible talent that Africa possesses. This festival is our gift to Lagos and a bold statement to the world about the power and influence of our creative spirit,” she said.

Despite the fun and boost to the economy, some have raised concerns over the hike in the price in both the hospitality and transport sector.

The festivities are taking a different turn this year as fun seekers and returning Nigerians lament the high cost of living, inflated hospitality rates and transportation challenges that have overshadowed the once-thrilling holiday season.

Tomide Akinmukomi, a sales manager, described this year’s edition as “surreal,” but not for the usual reasons of excitement.

“To my surprise, this year is quite different. We all know that during the festive period in Nigeria, commodities, petrol, gas and hospitality tend to hike in price. But the hike in transportation, Bolt and the rest was just a lot. I just had to stay at home,” she said.

Akinmukomi, who also manages short-let apartments, expressed frustration at the steep increase in rental prices.

“All these owners are very greedy because the prices of apartments were double, and the minimum stay was 14 days for December. The worst part is that sales dropped drastically because most people sought other alternatives. Now, many of these apartments are empty and owners are begging for two or three-day stays, just to fill up space,” she noted.

For Audre Adeoti, another fun seeker, Detty December might be losing its charm due to what she called “a culture of greed.”

She said, “I believe this year might be the last of Detty December, or we might see a massive decline after this year; and that’s just because of one thing: greed.

“You can’t stay in Ikoyi for 9 days at over £9,000. People save for years just to come home and enjoy themselves. It doesn’t make sense that locals exploit that with unreasonable prices.”

Adeoti criticised the mindset of some business owners, saying, “Until an average Nigerian stops being greedy, that country is not moving forward. I pray that we see the damage we are doing.”

Similarly, Rita Oniosun, a Lagos resident, expressed shock over the skyrocketing prices of hotels and event tickets.

“What I bought at N50,000, my friends bought theirs at N250,000. Hotels that were available in November are no longer available, even for a million naira a night. Marriott Ikeja is fully booked, and many other hotels are running into millions per night. The stress is just too much,” she said.

She advised Nigerians abroad to plan their holidays ahead to avoid being trapped in Lagos’ notorious traffic and inflated prices.

“If you must go to Nigeria every year, plan for yourself. How would you get stuck in traffic for three hours?” She added.

The head of TravelDen, Gbenga Onitilo, confirmed that the rising cost of hospitality services was driving tourists and returning Nigerians to other West African destinations.

“Overpricing has pushed some travellers to celebrate in neighbouring countries like Ghana. We are seeing bars, restaurants and hotels pricing at three times their normal rates. It is no longer based on forex or economic reality, it is now pure exploitation; and that’s hurting affordability,” he said.