Hannatu Musawa, minister of art, culture and the creative economy, has announced that preparations for the 2026 edition of Detty December will commence as early as March. According to the minister, early planning is intended to strengthen coordination, address past challenges, and broaden the economic and cultural impact of the festivities beyond Lagos.
Musawa made the disclosure during an interview on MIC ON, hosted by Seun Okinbaloye. She explained that the 2025 Detty December season delivered more gains than drawbacks, citing increased tourism inflow, heightened global visibility, and strong economic activity across entertainment, hospitality, transport, and retail sectors.
While acknowledging existing pressure points such as congestion, infrastructure strain, and security concerns, the minister described the overall impact as largely positive. She noted that these challenges have informed government planning, prompting a more structured and decentralised approach for future editions.
Detty December refers to Nigeria’s end-of-year cultural season marked by music concerts, festivals, nightlife events, and social gatherings, with Lagos traditionally serving as its epicentre. In recent years, the period has attracted a growing number of international visitors, positioning Nigeria as a major cultural tourism destination during the festive season.
Musawa revealed that the federal government is working to expand Detty December activities to other cities and regions, allowing more states to benefit from tourism revenue and cultural exposure. The strategy is aimed at reducing pressure on Lagos while unlocking opportunities for local economies nationwide.
By starting preparations in March, the ministry intends to engage stakeholders earlier, improve logistics, and align infrastructure, security, and cultural programming. According to Musawa, the long-term objective is to transform Detty December into a nationally distributed cultural and economic asset, rather than a Lagos-centric phenomenon.
