Chisom Kanma-Okafor
Here we go again
Another year, another Detty December where Lagos asked us one simple question. How much do you really love enjoyment? And then proceeded to test us with traffic, prices that felt personal, and events stacked so tightly you needed a spreadsheet to survive. This year was not for the weak. It was for the delusional, the determined, and the deeply unserious.
December in Lagos has evolved from a festive season into a cultural phenomenon. This year’s Detty December was sharper, louder, and wildly unapologetic. The vibes were elite, the prices were offensive, and the chaos was expertly curated.
The Luxury of Having Fun
Let’s start with the obvious. The prices. What?!
Somewhere between refreshing ticket links and seeing VIP prices, many of us had to pause and reflect on our life choices. Some of these prices looked less like access to music and more like down payments.
Traffic, of course, was another highlight of the season. It took longer to get from Lekki Phase 1 to Ikoyi than it takes to process a Nigerian visa. People were late to events they paid heavily for, stuck in cars contemplating the meaning of enjoyment while watching other people in the same situations.
And the roads. A mix of newly patched optimism and old potholes that have seen more Decembers than most of us. Those who remember last year, can at least attest to more lights in the streets. Apart from the lavish display of Christmas lights, street lights appeared.
Also some potholes were filled as if roads were suddenly remembered. It was almost touching. Like watching someone cram for an exam the night before and still show up confident.
Scams, Snatches, and Strange Parties
Scams were more creative. Fake events. Fake tables. Fake guest lists. Fake promises. If you weren’t scammed personally, you definitely know someone who was. It became part of the Detty December bingo card.
Then there were the wig snatching incidents. Because nothing says festive season like realizing your wig is now living a separate life from your frontal somewhere in the crowd.
And the private parties. The very eccentric private parties. Invite-only events with unclear themes and undisclosed locations. Some of them felt less like parties and more like exclusively curated experiences.
Lagos as a Stage
Still, the stars showed up. Lagos became a revolving door of global talent. Strating off with Ciara. Gunna touched down. Shenseea passed through. Tyla came and reminded everyone why we love South Africa. Wizkid appeared, as is tradition. Darko brought London vibes to town. Fireboy delivered vocals that felt like emotional support.
And countless others made appearances, popping up on stages, in clubs, and accidentally in people’s Snapchat stories.
For a few weeks, Lagos felt like the center of pop culture. If you blinked, you missed someone famous standing behind you at a bar.
Diaspora Discourse
Like last year, there was an international spotlight on the country. Those in the diaspora were crafting think pieces, essays, and social media manifestos about why they wouldn’t be “doing Lagos December” this year. Their Instagram stories were full of declarations, WhatsApp statuses promised “next year for sure,” and the occasional suspiciously detailed question about ticket links betrayed their curiosity. The FOMO was loud, the denial was louder.
But there was also a noticeable rise in voices criticizing the experience and highlighting that participation in Detty December can be indulgent, short-sighted, or socially and economically irresponsible.
People in the diaspora took to the internet to explain why they would not be coming this year. Long threads about safety, cost, infrastructure, and personal growth. Their concerns turned out to be very valid especially in light of the tragedies that occurred during the festive season. From road accidents to news of kidnap cases accross the country, it was also a season to be hyper vigilant, careful and safe.
Nigeria the Brand vs Nigeria the Reality
This year once again proved that Nigeria’s pop culture influence is unmatched. Afrobeats, fashion, nightlife, and vibes carried the country on their back while everything else struggled to keep up. Detty December continues to be our most effective PR campaign. No ads needed.
But the contrast was more apparent this year. The gap between curated enjoyment and everyday reality widened.
While some people were popping bottles on rooftops, others were navigating inflated transport fares and rising costs with a straight face and empty pockets.
On the flip side, Small businesses cashed out. Vendors rebranded regular items as “December specials.” Everything was festive, limited edition, and priced accordingly. Capitalism did what capitalism always does. It showed up early and stayed late.
And Yet, We’ll Be Back
Despite it all, the madness, the prices, the traffic, the wig snatching, the scams, the think pieces, we’ll be back. Because Detty December, for all its chaos, still taps into something deeply Nigerian.
The joy. The resilience. The ability to laugh through inconvenience. The strangers to friends moments. The friends to strangers moments as well. The learning to appreciate the journey as much as the destination. Because if there’s one thing Nigeria will always do, it’s turn chaos into culture.
We complained loudly. We laughed louder. We survived. We need therapy. But we hope to see and experience another one.
Same time next year!