The Fading Glow of Detty December: How Soaring Costs Are Dimming Festive Spirit

Every December, the country transforms into a vibrancy of celebration. Coined by singer Mr Eazi and popularized as 'Detty December,' this month-long extravaganza marks the return of the diaspora, family reunions, and an explosion of events - from Afrobeat headlined concerts to beach parties, carnivals in Calabar, and rooftop raves in Lagos. It's a time when the nation pulses with energy, optimism, and unbridled joy, often spilling into early January.

For many, it's a cultural pilgrimage, boosting tourism, hospitality, and the entertainment industry while injecting millions into the economy through remittances and spending.

Yet, as December 2025 unfolds, the usual frenzy feels subdued. Hotels in Lagos remain booked, and events like Rhythm Unplugged, Flytime Fest, and the Detty December Festival are still drawing crowds. But beneath the sequins and fireworks, a quieter reality emerges: rising prices are eroding the dreams of a truly 'detty' season. Nigerians, both at home and abroad, are scaling back plans, opting for intimate gatherings over lavish outings, and finding creative ways to celebrate amid financial strain.

What was once an indulgent escape is now a careful calculation, as the relentless surge in the cost of living casts a long shadow over the festivities. Even as headline inflation eased to around 14 - 16% in late 2025 - thanks in part to a stronger harvest and currency stability - the lived experience tells a different story. Prices remain stubbornly high following years of rates exceeding 30%, peaking near 34.8% in late 2024 before a statistical rebasing of the Consumer Price Index brought reported figures down.

Food inflation, long the biggest driver of hardship, hovered in the double digits, with staples like rice (a 50kg bag often exceeding ₦100,000 in urban markets), tomatoes, yam, and vegetable oil seeing sharp increases earlier in the year. Cooking a simple pot of jollof rice - a festive essential - could cost upwards of ₦25,000 for a family, a far cry from more affordable times.

Travel home for Christmas or hopping between events in Lagos means contending with fuel prices that, despite recent reductions from the Dangote Refinery (dropping to around ₦699 - 900 per litre at pumps), still fuel higher fares for rides, buses, and flights. Ride-hailing surges during peak season, and inter-state journeys eat deeply into budgets. Electricity tariffs, hiked significantly for higher-usage "Band A" customers (up to ₦200+ per kWh in some cases), mean air-conditioned venues and home parties come at a premium, pushing many to rely on generators amid unreliable supply.

Concert tickets for major shows start at ₦250,000 for premium spots, while even mid-tier events demand thousands. Hotels and short-let apartments in Lagos and Abuja inflate rates dramatically, capitalizing on diaspora demand. Food and drinks at parties soar, with businesses leveraging the hype. For the average Nigerian earning around the minimum wage (still low relative to expenses), or even middle-class families stretched thin, splashing out feels irresponsible. Diaspora returnees, whose remittances fuel much of the spending, face naira devaluation eroding their foreign earnings' value.

The result? A shrinking Detty December!

Industry coverage note fewer large-scale blowouts, with people prioritizing essentials or low-key home gatherings. Smaller, budget-friendly alternatives - potluck picnics, house parties, or free community events - are gaining traction. While the elite and high-spenders keep the glamour alive, the broader populace watches from afar, hopes dimmed by empty wallets.

Detty December has long been an economic booster, supporting jobs in hospitality, events, and transport. But when inflation squeezes the majority, the benefits concentrate among a few - venue owners, artists, and luxury providers - while exacerbating poverty for others. Reports warn of millions more slipping into hardship without adequate safety nets.

As 2025 draws to a close, Nigerians' hard stance shines through in adapted celebrations: shared meals, virtual toasts, and cherished family time over extravagance.

Yet the question lingers - can Detty December reclaim its unapologetic joy without addressing the root causes of soaring costs?

May the coming year bring relief, so the detty spirit can once again burn bright for every Nigerian.