As Nigeria begins early preparations for Detty December 2026, industry leaders are calling for urgent and aggressive investment in hotel infrastructure to match the growing influx of diasporans and African Americans who now see Lagos as a prime end-of-year destination.
This formed a key part of discussions at the Naija7Wonders Meeting 3.0, hosted by the organisers of the Akwaaba African Travel Market, Mr. Ikechi Uko, where tourism, travel and hospitality stakeholders met to strategise for a better coordinated and more profitable Detty December experience.
Speaking at the session, Bayo Adedeji, Founder of Lion Hospitality Partners—owners of Wave Beach, Athena Beach, Kyma Beach, Unda Lounge, Lion Wonder Arena (Alausa, Egbeda and Ikorodu) and Doo&Shima Beach House—and Group CEO of Wakanow, said the recurring challenges experienced every December are clear signals that Nigeria’s hotel capacity is far below what current demand requires.
READ: Africa: Naija7Wonders 3.0: How Akwa Ibom Quietly Built Its Own Detty December by Ime Udo
“I want us to start looking at the cup as being full. Demand for hotels obviously exceeds supply. And when demand exceeds supply, suppliers begin to misbehave, because if you don’t want the room, the next person will pay for it,” he said.
According to him, the annual complaints around high hotel rates, inconsistent service quality, and booking difficulties during the festive season are symptoms of a deeper structural issue — insufficient hotel rooms for the volume of visitors coming into Lagos, especially from the diaspora.
Detty December has increasingly become a global cultural attraction, drawing thousands of Nigerians in the diaspora and African Americans seeking cultural reconnection, entertainment, and social experiences in Lagos. This surge, he noted, has placed enormous pressure on the city’s hospitality capacity.
Rather than viewing the situation as a seasonal problem, Adedeji described it as a major investment opportunity.
“As a businessman, I see it differently. I see the opportunity for us to invest heavily in hotels. Because if supply exceeds demand, hotels will now compete for customers. And when they compete, service improves, pricing stabilises, and the overall experience becomes better.”
He explained that the current scarcity mindset among suppliers is driven by the certainty that rooms will be filled regardless of service standards due to overwhelming demand.
Adedeji also highlighted the need to expand beyond hotel rooms into modern conference and event centres, noting that Lagos currently lacks sufficient large-capacity venues to support the scale of concerts and gatherings that now define Detty December.
“It cannot just be one conference centre in the whole of Lagos that can hold 5,000 people for concerts. That creates a scarcity mentality as well. We need more options,” he said, revealing that he recently discussed hospitality and event infrastructure investments with an investment firm.
Stakeholders at the meeting agreed that Detty December has outgrown its informal structure and now requires deliberate planning, infrastructure expansion, and coordinated action if Nigeria is to maintain its position as Africa’s end-of-year tourism capital.
The Naija7Wonders Meeting 3.0 is part of broader efforts by Akwaaba African Travel Market to ensure that the momentum generated by Detty December translates into sustainable tourism growth, improved visitor experience, and long-term economic benefits ahead of 2026.
