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During The Detty December Period
Detty December has come and gone. It is that period of the year when diaspora flock into Nigeria to en joy the numerous opportunities that Lagos and its environs offer, be it in terms of Entertainment, fun and parties. It is the period of the year when Lagos plays host to numerous concerts and shows, as well as private Owambe parties.
Of course Detty December is a period of the year when the smallest of businesses make good sales and strike good deals. It is a period, when several people in the diaspora troop to the city to celebrate Christmas and New Year. This is when Lagos becomes Nigeria’s most profitable business area. When other cities slow down for the holidays, Lagos explodes with economic activity, and smart entrepreneurs make the most of Detty December business opportunities.
The numbers tell an incredible story. Diasporans flood back with foreign currency, end-of-year bonuses hit accounts, and Lagos transforms into an economic treasure. Detty December business opportunities appear everywhere, from beachside bars to luxury car rentals, seeing 300% demand spikes.
There are several sectors which directly had a significant effect on this period.
The first sector that always feels the impact of this period is the Housing sector. The demand for short lets, hotel spaces, etc., becomes highly sought after. The accommodation sector in general becomes gold during this period.
Walk through Lekki, Victoria Island, or Ikoyi in December, and you’ll notice something striking: nearly every apartment building has become a mini-hotel.
Short-stay apartment owners in Lagos experienced the most Lagos December business profits of any sector. An apartment that rents for N150,000 monthly suddenly went up to N80,000 – N120,000 per night in December. That is about N2.4 million to N3.6 million for the month, versus N150,000 any other time.
The beauty of this model? Minimal additional investment:The same furniture, the same location, just strategic timing and smart marketing to diasporans planning their trips months in advance.
Property owners aren’t the only winners. Cleaning services, laundry companies, and grocery delivery services see an increase in demand as well.
The second sector is the Event Planning sector
December in Lagos means lots of events, weddings, album launches corporate end-of-year celebrations, reunion parties, and concerts fill every weekend (and most weekdays).
Event planners who usually charging N500,000 for a standard package in July suddenly quoted N1.5 – N2.5 million for December events. Their clients paid without blinking because everyone wants their event during the hottest month of the year.
The ripple effect touched every aspect of the events industry. Decorator rental companies, DJ services, catering businesses, photographers, and makeup artists all multiplied their rates. A DJ spinning at a club that charged N80,000 on a regular Saturday demanded N250,000 – N400,000 for December gigs.
Photography packages that cost N150,000 in March jumped to N350,000 – N500,000 in December. Why? Because professional photographers were booked out completely, sometimes handling two or three events in a single day.
They are not just raising the price for no reason, they are responding to an increase in the demand of their services.
The third sector is the Car Rentals sector: That SUV sitting in your neighbor’s compound all year suddenly became a N100,000-per-day rental during December. Mercedes G-Wagons went for N150,000 – N200,000 daily. Even standard Sedans tripled their regular rental rates.
Diasporans especially drive this market. After landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport with dollars burning holes in their pockets, the first stop is often a car rental service. Nobody wants to “suffer” in December, everyone wants to have fun and enjoy themselves.
The fourth sector is the Food and Beverages
Restaurants, bars, and nightclubs experienced their most profitable month by far.
The typical Lagos restaurant operates at 40-50% capacity most of the year. This last December, they were packed from Thursday through Sunday, with many requiring reservations days in advance. Revenue jumped 200-300% compared to regular months.
One bar owner in Lekki shared: “We do N2 – N3 million on a great weekend normally. December weekends? We’re hitting N8 – N12 million. Some Saturdays, we’ve crossed N15 million in sales.”
Food vendors from the high-end caterers serving at mansion parties to the small chops sellers at every corner all cashed in. The festive season business Nigeria model works because Lagosians believe December is the time to spend, enjoy, and worry about January when January arrives.
And the 5th sector is Fashion and Beauty
“Detty December” isn’t just about where you go, it’s about how you look getting there.
Fashion designers and tailors experience their busiest season. That aso-ebi fabric everyone bought in October? It needs to become a stunning outfit by party day. Tailors work 16-hour days, charging premium rush fees for December delivery.
Makeup artists follow similar patterns. A makeup session costing N25,000 in regular months became N50,000 – N80,000 in December. Top-tier makeup artists were booked weeks in advance, sometimes handling 3-4 clients in a single day at premium rates.
Hair stylists, nail technicians, and spa services all adjusted their pricing models. The December business ideas Lagos entrepreneurs share a common thread. They understand that customers expect to pay more for premium service during peak season, and they’re willing to.
None of this December magic happens without diasporans. Their arrival transforms the Lagos economy overnight.
Beyond the obvious spending on accommodation and entertainment, diasporans pump foreign currency into every sector. They shop for family, sponsor events, pay for renovations, and generally spend with the mindset of “I’m only here once a year.”
The 6th is the currency exchange business. Traders make significant Lagos December business profits simply from the volume of dollars, pounds, and euros converting to naira. Some exchange operators report handling 5 -10 times their typical monthly volume just in December.
