The Federal Government has announced that preparations for the 2026 Detty December festivities will commence in March, as part of efforts to enhance Nigeria’s end-of-year tourism and entertainment experience.
The Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, disclosed this while reviewing activities from the 2025 Detty December celebrations.
According to her, the season delivered more benefits than challenges, recording strong tourist turnout and a positive impact on the economy.
Detty December refers to Nigeria’s vibrant end-of-year period marked by concerts, parties and social events, particularly in Lagos, which has grown into a major festive destination for local and international visitors.
Musawa said the government is assessing the 2025 experience to address shortcomings and improve future celebrations.
She identified limited hotel accommodation, inflated service costs and severe traffic congestion as key issues that affected both visitors and residents.
The minister stressed that these challenges must be addressed to ensure the season remains inclusive, enjoyable and attractive.
While acknowledging Lagos’ global reputation as a leading December destination, Musawa said the government aims to decentralise activities by promoting festivals and events in other parts of the country.
She noted that states such as Calabar, Enugu and Plateau already host notable events that could attract more tourists with adequate support.
According to her, the strategy is to expand festive programmes across different regions, allowing visitors to explore more destinations nationwide.
Musawa added that formal planning for the next Detty December will begin in March, with a proposal to be presented to the Federal Executive Council to engage relevant government agencies in delivering an improved festive season in Lagos and beyond.
She expressed optimism that upgrades at the Lagos airport and ongoing infrastructure projects would ease travel for visitors by the end of the year.
The minister also called for increased federal backing for Lagos, particularly in funding and developing more quality hotel facilities to meet rising demand during the festive period.
While commending efforts by the Ministry of Works and the Lagos State Government to ease traffic through new roads and flyovers, Musawa cautioned that unchecked high pricing could damage Nigeria’s reputation as a top December destination.
She emphasised the need for government intervention to regulate prices, warning that the festive season should not become exclusive to the wealthy and must remain welcoming to all visitors each December.