Prominent Nigerian entertainment veteran and founder of Orupeza Festivals, Edi Lawani, has called for a more structured and strategic approach to sustaining Nigeria’s fast growing “Detty December” phenomenon, warning that its continued reliance on chance could undermine long term gains. Lawani made this assertion during the Naija7Wonders Zoom Conference hosted by tourism promoter Ikechi Uko, where stakeholders across hospitality, aviation and entertainment sectors examined the theme “Detty December: Lessons and Impact.”
Lawani described Detty December as an “accident of circumstance,” noting that no deliberate blueprint existed for its emergence. While acknowledging that the organic nature of the season has contributed to its vibrancy, he cautioned that “planlessness” is not a sustainable model for a phenomenon that now drives significant economic activity. “To sustain Detty December, we must become strategic, systemic, and deliberate in planning,” he said.
Lawani identified two critical factors behind the rise of Detty December: security concerns and currency dynamics. According to him, insecurity in parts of the country has concentrated activity in major urban centres like Lagos, particularly high-density zones such as Victoria Island and Lekki, where visitors feel relatively safer. This has led to overstretched entertainment infrastructure and inflated pricing. He further noted that the depreciation of the naira has made Nigeria an attractive destination for diaspora visitors, who can spend more locally compared to winter destinations in Europe or North America.
The entertainment consultant warned that surging demand has triggered steep increases in artist fees, venue costs and ticket prices, raising concerns about affordability and long-term viability.
“Artists are charging premium rates, venues are oversubscribed, and ticket prices are rising. The risk is that many locally based Nigerians are being priced out,” he said. Lawani added that while hotels maintained strong occupancy, several entertainment events reportedly struggled with profitability due to escalating production costs.
To address congestion and spread economic benefits, Lawani advocated for the decentralisation of Detty December activities beyond Lagos’ traditional hotspots. He identified emerging destinations such as Festac, Badagry, Epe, Abeokuta and Ibadan as viable alternatives, provided security conditions improve. He also emphasized the potential of cultural and traditional festivals in regions outside Lagos to complement urban nightlife and broaden the tourism offering. “Detty December should not be limited to clubs and concerts. Cultural experiences across Nigeria can become key anchors,” he said.
Lawani stressed the need for targeted government intervention, particularly in enhancing security within tourism corridors and improving infrastructure to support regional travel. He noted that without such measures, efforts to decentralise the season may be ineffective, as safety remains a primary concern for both domestic and international visitors. Looking ahead, Lawani pointed to the emergence of new sub-regional airlines and routes as a potential game-changer. Improved connectivity to cities such as Enugu, Calabar and Warri could redistribute travel flows and reduce Lagos’ dominance during the festive season.
However, he warned that Lagos risks losing a share of Detty December traffic if other destinations successfully develop safer and more structured tourism offerings. He urged stronger collaboration among tour operators, event promoters, airlines, and government agencies to align strategies and optimize outcomes. While acknowledging the immense opportunities presented by Detty December, Lawani cautioned that failure to institutionalize planning, pricing discipline and infrastructure support could lead to a decline in its appeal. “That it started as an accident does not mean it should remain one,” he said. “With the right strategy, Detty December can evolve into a globally competitive tourism product that benefits the entire country.”
