The Federal Government has announced that preparations for the 2026 edition of Nigeria’s year-end celebrations, popularly known as Detty December, will begin in March.
Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, disclosed this during an interview on the MIC ON podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye on Saturday. She said the government is currently reviewing the 2025 festive season to identify and address structural gaps that could affect future editions.
Musawa acknowledged that the 2025 Detty December delivered strong economic and tourism benefits but highlighted issues such as inadequate accommodation, inflated pricing by service providers, and traffic congestion as challenges that must be resolved to sustain Nigeria’s growing appeal as a global holiday destination.
“Presently, we are doing an interrogation of the 2025 Detty December. I would say more positives than the negatives. 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 said.
She added that the government will begin pushing for the 2026 Detty December in March, with plans to present a proposal to the Federal Executive Council to ensure inter-agency coordination for a successful festive season.
Expanding Detty December Beyond Lagos
Musawa noted that Lagos has become the global destination for December tourism but stressed the need to expand festivities to other parts of Nigeria. She cited existing events such as the Calabar Festival and activities in Enugu and Plateau as opportunities to diversify the holiday experience.
“We are hoping to expand this by creating more activities and content across the country,” she said.
Government Support for Infrastructure and Creative Sector
The minister stated that the Federal Government plans to support Lagos and the creative industry through targeted funding, infrastructure development, and an endowment fund aimed at boosting creative output.
“We have to support Lagos more in terms of financing for creatives in the industry to give them more support,” Musawa said. She also emphasized the need for more hotels, particularly five-star and upscale accommodations, to meet growing demand.
Airport Upgrades and Traffic Management
Musawa expressed optimism that ongoing airport upgrades in Lagos will enhance visitor experience by the end of the year. She also mentioned that the Ministry of Works and the Lagos State Government are working on new roads and flyovers to ease traffic congestion.
However, she warned that unchecked pricing could harm Nigeria’s competitiveness as a holiday destination.
“The government has to come in to bring some sanity in terms of the pricing so that people can come into Nigeria, and we do not lose the effect of Nigeria being the place to come in December,” she stated.