Every December, Nigeria no longer behaves normally. Flights become premium luxury items, traffic starts moving like it has feelings, and everyone suddenly remembers they have a village.
This is not just a holiday season.
This is Detty December.
Diaspora Touchdown: “I’m Back Home!”
For Nigerians abroad, December is non-negotiable. After enduring winter, strict systems, and food that doesn’t understand seasoning, coming home feels like spiritual deliverance.
You land in Lagos and immediately:
- Switch accents at the airport
- Start saying “my guy” again
- Remember that sleep is optional
- Realise that “quick outing” in December is a lie
Aunties will ask if you’re married. Uncles will ask what you’re doing with your life. Everyone else will ask: “So, when are we linking up?”
Enter the IJGBs: The “I Just Got Back” Crew
No Detty December is complete without the IJBs — Nigerians who live abroad but return home every December like it’s a cultural obligation.
You can identify them easily:
- Their accent suddenly changes mid-sentence
- Every story starts with “Back in the UK…” or “Where I stay abroad…”
- They complain about traffic but still attend five events in one night
- They wear sunglasses at night and insist Lagos has “changed”
IJBs come with foreign currency confidence, Spotify playlists, and a packed December itinerary. They are here to eat, party, reconnect, and remember why Nigeria is home — even if just for a few weeks.
Economically, they boost tourism, hospitality, events, and nightlife. Emotionally, they reconnect the diaspora to home. They may complain, but they always return.
Tourists Come for Vacation, Leave as Family
Foreign visitors arrive organised, on schedule, and calm. After one week in Nigeria, they are:
- Dancing without shame
- Eating food with confidence
- Negotiating prices like professionals
- Saying “no wahala” unironically
They learn quickly:
- Nigerian parties don’t start on time — they start when they want
- The music will not rest
- Once you survive Lagos traffic, you unlock a new level of patience
Many came for fun. Most leave planning their return.
December Economy: Everybody Must Chop
From hotels to ride-hailing apps, hairstylists, makeup artists, photographers, tailors, DJs, and food vendors. Detty December is when the economy wakes up.
Events overlap. Prices rise. Energy is high. Even people with no business suddenly vibes into entrepreneurship.
Nigeria said: No matter the economy, December must function.
Small Wahala, Big Enjoyment
Yes, traffic will stress you.
Yes, prices will shock you.
Yes, NEPA may test your character.
But somehow, the laughter, music, and shared experiences make it worth it. Complaints become bonding moments. Wahala turns into stories.
More Than Just Fun and Flexing
Beyond the parties and concerts, Detty December does something powerful:
It reconnects Nigerians abroad with home and positions Nigeria as a cultural tourism destination.
It shows the world our creativity, resilience, warmth, and community, the parts statistics don’t capture.
Final Thoughts
Detty December is where migration meets tourism, where planning meets vibes, and where Nigeria becomes fully itself.
It’s not calm.
It’s not quiet.
But it’s unforgettable.
Because in Nigeria, December is not just a month , it’s a movement.
