4 weeks ago
6
By Efosa Taiwo
For galore Nigerians abroad, the excitement of flying location for Detty December is dilatory being replaced by disbelief, and a spot of heartbreak.
What was erstwhile a joyful countdown to the festive play has present turned into a frustrating hunt for affordable tickets, with airfares climbing to staggering levels.
Flights from the UK to Nigeria person reportedly surged past the million-naira mark, depending connected the hose and question date.
The terms spike has forced galore would-be travellers to rethink their December plans oregon commencement exploring cheaper alternatives: including, jokingly, celebrating via video calls.
The vexation is peculiarly beardown due to the fact that Detty December is much than conscionable a holiday: it’s a taste homecoming; a pop-festival astatine the extremity of the twelvemonth successful Nigeria, typically from mid-December done the New Year. It’s a play defined by concerts, lavish parties, weddings, and household reunions, erstwhile Nigerians successful the diaspora instrumentality location to reconnect and celebrate.
For cities similar Lagos, Abuja, and adjacent Accra, it’s the item of the year: a play erstwhile music, nightlife, and tourism scope their peak.
This year, however, that anticipation is colliding with reality. The surge successful summons prices has near galore frustrated, and societal media has go the outlet for their laments and laughter.
On X (formerly Twitter), users are sharing their disbelief, with immoderate claiming that aboriginal booking was the lone redeeming grace, portion others person resorted to wit to easiness the sting.
@funmilvyo wrote: “If you haven’t purchased your formation tickets for Detty December by now, I person atrocious quality for you because, these prices hmmm!”
@missangeljames added: “I got my tickets successful March convey God. Tickets are truthful costly now.”
@Bigchase shared: “Booked excavation since February astatine 900k.”
@Ayo_omoyori advised: “If you privation to get immoderate reasonably priced Detty December formation ticket, you should person gotten it since June/July.”
@JennipherUwa joked: “You’ll cheque formation prices from UK to Nigeria and instantly commencement appreciating video calls. At this rate, Detty December volition hap connected Zoom.”
And successful a humorous jab, @akintollgate wrote: “If you are coming to Nigeria for Detty December and you deliberation the summons prices are expensive, delight enactment backmost and enactment overtime successful December. Nor beryllium you we dey expect this Christmas! Respectfully.”
Yet, contempt the rising costs, Detty December remains a large contributor to Nigeria’s economy.
According to a study by advisory steadfast MO Africa Company Limited, Lagos’ nightlife was a large victor successful 2024, with the apical 15 lounges and nightclubs generating N4.32 cardinal during the festive period.
On average, clubs raked in N360 cardinal daily, with immoderate tables fetching arsenic overmuch arsenic N1.2 cardinal per night. The study highlighted however Lagos’ Detty December drew ample numbers of home and
international tourists, underscoring its monolithic taste and economical impact.
Whether 2025’s variation volition pull the aforesaid level of turnout remains to beryllium seen, but 1 happening is certain: for galore Nigerians abroad, the travel location this December mightiness outgo much than conscionable excitement; it whitethorn instrumentality a afloat twelvemonth of savings to marque it happen.
The station Detty December: Tickets are truthful costly present – Nigerians respond arsenic formation prices skyrocket appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.
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