The Federal Government has announced plans to begin early preparations for the 2026 edition of “Detty December” as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s tourism and creative economy, the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, revealed on Saturday.

Speaking during an interview on the MIC ON podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, Musawa said that evaluations of the 2025 Detty December festivities exposed significant opportunities to improve critical aspects of the annual season of cultural celebrations, concerts, parties, and events that draw visitors from across Nigeria and beyond.

Positive Gains Amid Challenges

According to the minister, the 2025 festivities delivered substantial economic and tourism gains, with increased inflows of both local and international visitors and elevated consumer spending that boosted local businesses. However, Musawa acknowledged that structural challenges, including inadequate accommodation options, inflated pricing by some service providers, and traffic congestion, threatened to dampen the overall visitor experience.

“Presently, we are doing an interrogation of the 2025 Detty December. I would say more positives than the negatives,” Musawa noted, highlighting accommodation shortages and vendor overpricing as key areas requiring intervention.

Early Planning to Strengthen Delivery

To address these gaps and ensure a more seamless festive season in December, the federal government plans to begin formal preparations as early as March 2026. Musawa explained that memoranda and strategic papers would be submitted to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to mobilise the necessary inter-agency collaboration and resources.

She emphasised that early planning would help create a more coordinated approach among government agencies and stakeholders, improving logistics, infrastructure, and regulatory oversight ahead of the end-of-year festivities.

Lagos as a Global Festive Hub — With Broader Ambitions

Musawa reiterated that Lagos has increasingly become synonymous with Detty December, positioning the city as a preferred global destination for year-end tourism.

However, she stressed the need to diversify festivities beyond Lagos by promoting cultural and event attractions in other states such as Calabar, Enugu, and Plateau, in order to spread economic benefits more evenly across the country.

“We are hoping to expand this by creating more activities and content across the country,” she said, pointing to existing events like the Calabar Festival as models for broader engagement.

Infrastructure, Funding and Visitor Experience

In addition to planning, the minister said the government plans to provide stronger financial support and infrastructure development for the creative sector and Lagos State, where most major events are hosted.

This includes the possible establishment of an endowment fund to support creative professionals and businesses, as well as encouraging the development of more high-end accommodation facilities.

Musawa also expressed optimism that the ongoing upgrade of Lagos’ airports would enhance the arrival experience for visitors by the end of the year, and noted efforts by the Ministries of Works and the Lagos State Government to improve road networks to ease traffic flow.

Despite improvements, she cautioned that unchecked pricing within the tourism ecosystem could undermine Nigeria’s competitiveness if not addressed.

What “Detty December” Means for Nigeria

• Detty December refers to the vibrant mix of festivities — from music concerts and nightlife parties to cultural showcases — that dominate Nigeria’s social calendar in December.

• The season has grown into a significant tourism and economic event, attracting Nigerians in the diaspora and social tourists to major hubs like Lagos.

• In 2025, the Federal Government also pursued partnerships for events like the Detty December Fest with Livespot360, aiming to institutionalize celebrations and global cultural showcases.