The festive glow of Detty December 2025 has faded, leaving behind a trail of frustration and a pressing national question. What was once an eagerly anticipated season of homecoming, concerts, and celebration has sparked a widespread reckoning, with many Nigerians asking if the annual ritual has tipped from joyful reunion into blatant exploitation.
The Great Price Gouge: From Braids to Business Class
The sentiment shift was palpable across social media platforms, where returnees and locals alike voiced outrage over what they described as predatory pricing. Entrepreneur Laura Ikeji captured the mood in a viral Instagram video, bluntly stating, "Nigerians? We are greedy." She revealed a personal example: a hairstyle she braided for ₦70,000 before the season was being quoted at a minimum of ₦200,000 in December, with advice to charge a client as much as ₦250,000 simply because it was Detty December.
The inflation was not confined to personal services. Popular podcaster Madam Joyce highlighted that a business class ticket from London to Lagos soared to £6,000 during the peak travel period. Accommodation also became a major flashpoint, with stories of short-let owners in Lagos withholding bookings to "observe the market" before setting exorbitant rates.
Nollywood actress Zainab Balogun offered a critical perspective, linking the problem to social media portrayals. She argued that content flaunting "cheap" Nigerian services from the diaspora has led vendors to swing to the opposite extreme, citing an extreme case where a braiding bill allegedly jumped from ₦800,000 to a staggering ₦2.5 million after adding "human hair–infused" extensions.
Event Disorganisation Adds to the Frustration
Beyond the financial strain, the 2025 season was marred by significant logistical failures at major events, amplifying public discontent. Attendees at BNXN's "What a Feeling" concert complained of severe disorganisation, prompting the singer to apologise and issue refunds. Similarly, Fola's concert faced backlash when the artist exited the stage abruptly, leaving a poorly coordinated event and a disappointed audience.
These incidents highlighted a growing gap between the promise of Detty December events and the often chaotic reality on the ground, turning anticipated nights of fun into experiences of frustration.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Detty December
The collective experience of 2025 forces a crucial question: will Nigerians, both at home and abroad, approach Detty December 2026 with the same enthusiasm?
Party organiser Samuel Oluwasola believes the core issue is a lack of preparation, not inherent greed. "Planning is stressful," he admitted, emphasising the need for better anticipation. His strategy involves preparing for nearly double the expected turnout, especially for Lagos events which "almost always attract more people than expected."
Despite the loud online backlash, Oluwasola doubts it will significantly dampen participation next year. He points to the deep-rooted culture of events in Lagos, noting that only the COVID-19 pandemic truly slowed them down. "Events are something that will never die down," he asserted.
The emotional pull of returning home to family and friends remains powerful, ensuring that Detty December will continue in some form. However, the 2025 season has undoubtedly served as a wake-up call. The manner of celebration and the willingness to pay a premium for subpar experiences are now under intense scrutiny. The era of unchecked excess may be over, making way for a more conscious and potentially selective festive season in 2026.
