- FG to kick off 2026 Detty December preparations in March
- Review shows strong tourism and economic gains
- Accommodation shortages and overpricing remain major concerns
- Inter-agency plan to be presented to Federal Executive Council
The Federal Government has announced plans to begin early preparations for the 2026 Detty December celebrations, with planning set to commence as early as March, following lessons learned from the 2025 festive season.
The Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, disclosed this during an interview on MIC ON, a podcast hosted by journalist Seun Okinbaloye, where she reviewed the impact of the 2025 Detty Decemberfestivities.
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Musawa said the end-of-year celebrations delivered significant gains for Nigeria’s economy, particularly in tourism inflow, entertainment, and consumer spending, but also exposed critical gaps that must be addressed to sustain the country’s growing reputation as a global holiday destination.
According to her, accommodation shortages, inflated pricing by vendors, and traffic congestion were among the biggest challenges experienced by both local and international visitors.
“Presently, we are doing an interrogation of the 2025 Detty December. I would say more positives than negatives,” Musawa said.
“For the negatives, the lack of accommodation and overpricing of the vendors, which I think is the major issue on the table that we are looking at.”
She explained that the government plans to take a more proactive approach this time by starting preparations months earlier and involving all relevant stakeholders.
“We are going to start the push for this year’s Detty December in March. The paper that will go to the Federal Executive Council will bring in all the necessary interdependencies needed to deliver a fantastic festive season in Lagos,” she added.
Detty December refers to the packed calendar of concerts, festivals, nightlife events, and cultural celebrations that take over Nigeria, especially Lagos towards the end of every year. The season has become a major attraction for diaspora Nigerians and foreign tourists seeking entertainment and cultural experiences.
With early planning for 2026 Detty December, the Federal Government hopes to improve visitor experience, regulate pricing, expand accommodation capacity, and strengthen Nigeria’s position as Africa’s leading festive tourism hub.