Nigeria will begin organizing its 2026 year-end celebrations as early as March, according to Hannatu Musawa, the minister overseeing art, culture and the creative economy.
Speaking on MIC ON, a podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, Musawa shared her assessment of this year’s holiday festivities while outlining the government’s timeline for next year’s preparations.
The minister said the 2025 season brought more successes than setbacks, with tourism and economic activity showing largely positive results.
The annual December celebration period in Nigeria—often called “Detty December”—features numerous concerts, parties and cultural events, with Lagos emerging as a primary draw for both domestic and international visitors.
Despite the overall success, Musawa identified several issues that need addressing: insufficient hotel capacity, excessive pricing by vendors and severe traffic congestion. She emphasized that regulatory measures may be necessary to keep the season appealing for everyone.
“We are currently reviewing the 2025 season, and I’d say the positives outweigh the negatives. Among the challenges, accommodation shortages and vendor overpricing stand out as major concerns we’re examining,” Musawa explained.
While Lagos has solidified its position as a top December destination globally, the minister stressed the importance of promoting celebrations nationwide. She pointed to existing festivals in Calabar, Enugu, Plateau and other southeastern regions as opportunities to showcase different parts of the country.
Planning for the 2026 season will involve coordination across multiple government agencies, Musawa said. A proposal headed to the Federal Executive Council in March will outline how various departments can work together to improve the festive experience.
The minister expressed hope that infrastructure improvements—particularly the anticipated completion of a new Lagos airport terminal by year’s end—will significantly enhance visitor experiences.
She also called for increased federal investment in Lagos’s hospitality infrastructure, including more upscale accommodation options, and an endowment fund to support these developments.
Both federal and state authorities are working to address traffic issues through road expansions and flyover construction, Musawa noted. However, she warned that unchecked price increases could harm Nigeria’s reputation as an attractive December destination.
“The government needs to step in and bring some order to pricing. We can’t let Nigeria’s December appeal become something only the wealthy can enjoy—that’s not who we are as a nation,” she said.
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