Detty December, 2025

I landed in Lagos thinking I was prepared. I had seen the videos, heard the stories, and listened to friends talk about Detty December like it was some kind of annual festival of madness. Nothing could have prepared me for the reality. The moment I stepped out of the airport, the energy was different. The city felt alive. Everywhere I looked, people were arriving from different parts of the world. Friends I hadn't seen in years were suddenly back in town. Group chats that had been silent all year became active overnight with one question: "Where are we going tonight?" The funny thing about Detty December is that nobody actually sleeps. One minute you're at brunch, the next you're at a beach party, then somehow you find yourself at a concert before ending the night at an after-party you never planned to attend. One evening stands out the most. We started with a simple dinner on Victoria Island. The plan was to eat, catch up, and head home early. By midnight, we were dancing at a rooftop party overlooking the city lights. By 3 a.m., someone suggested food, so we found ourselves eating hot suya on the roadside while debating who had the best jollof rice. By sunrise, we were sitting by the beach laughing at how the night somehow turned into morning. What amazed me most wasn't the parties. It was the people. Every day felt like a reunion. Old classmates, childhood friends, cousins from abroad, and complete strangers became part of the same story. Conversations flowed easily. Opportunities appeared unexpectedly. Lagos had a way of making everyone feel connected.