THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
‘Detty December’ has become synonymous with Lagos’s vibrant end-of-year celebrations, attracting Nigerians from the diaspora and international visitors eager to partake in the city’s dynamic festivities. The term, a playful adaptation of “dirty,” signifies the uninhibited revelry that characterizes the holiday season in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos.
Detty December has become an annual homecoming that fosters reunions with family and friends and contributes to the local economy through increased spending in sectors like entertainment, hospitality and retail, showcasing Lagos as a hub of vibrant nightlife, cultural exchange and commerce.
The influx of visitors during Detty December has a substantial economic impact on Lagos.
A season of glitz and homecoming
For the diaspora and international visitors, Detty December is the quintessential Lagos experience. Exclusive concerts, star-studded events and high-profile gatherings light up the city. Venues like W-Bar, Zaza and The Good Beach host all-night parties, while cultural landmarks such as Nike Art Gallery and Iwalewa Gallery offer quieter yet enriching experiences. The annual influx of diaspora dollars fuels the city’s economy, with an estimated ₦90 billion (around $58 million) generated during last year’s festivities.
But as the festive glitter shines bright, another narrative unfolds—a tale of soaring costs, overcrowded streets, and the economic disparity that the holiday season accentuates. For every reveler popping champagne bottles worth a fortune in naira in Lekki’s clubs, there are countless others grappling with the rising cost of living, aggravated by fuel price increases.
Hotels and short-term rental apartments are another casualty of the season’s inflation. With the diaspora returning in droves, accommodation costs skyrocket, leaving even middle-class Lagosians priced out of their own city. Transportation fares follow suit, with ride-hailing services charging exorbitant rates to navigate Lagos’s infamous gridlocks.
The disparity between the celebratory Detty December narrative and the realities faced by many Lagosians underscores broader socioeconomic challenges. In recent years, economic reforms and rising living costs have impacted disposable incomes, leading to a more subdued festive season for some residents.
Nevertheless, the spirit of celebration persists, with many adapting by hosting private gatherings or seeking more affordable entertainment options.
A resilient Lagos spirit
Despite the challenges, Detty December also highlights Lagos’s unique resilience. The city thrives as a cultural melting pot, where the return of diaspora Nigerians invigorates industries, from entertainment to fashion. It is this duality—glamorous yet grinding—that defines Lagos and its holiday season.
Detty December is both a testament to Lagos’s energy and a reminder of its complexities. While the festivities boost the economy and foster cultural connections, they also reveal the growing gulf between the city’s affluent and its struggling majority. As Lagos prepares for another season of holiday revelry, the question remains: Can the city find a balance between its dazzling facade and the realities that lie beneath?
Kola Tella
