Nearly two-thirds of its population are under 25. Here’s why the world goes there to party

Beach parties, festivals and top-tier performances fuel the energy, while fashion takes center stage, with everyone dressing to impress.

Nearly two-thirds of Nigeria’s population is under 25, according to the United Nations Population Fund, making this one of the world’s youngest countries.

Internationally renowned Afrobeats performers and foreign artists make surprise appearances. DJs take to the streets, blasting powerful beats from consoles mounted atop bright yellow minibuses.

At times it’s all-consuming. Good luck getting hair salon appointments, affordable air tickets or navigating Lagos’ already notorious traffic when the party crowds are in town.

Detty December (“detty” is a playful corruption of “dirty”) is a triumphant celebration of culture, music and good vibes that has evolved in recent years during the traditional holidays influx of diaspora returnees, which heightened in 2018 when Ghana ran a launched a successful “Year of Return” campaign actively encouraging people to visit their ancestral homelands.

It’s gathered pace over the past five years, gaining an international reputation, as IJGBs (“I Just Got Backs”) and their friends arrive in batches, eager to unwind and blow off steam after the fast-paced, hard-working year they’ve had overseas.

For many in the vast Nigerian diaspora, it is a deeply personal homecoming, a chance to reconnect with their heritage, traditions and families while immersing themselves in the lively energy of Nigerian life.

‘Everyone is on a vibe of happiness’

Cynthia Eniola Oyeneyin, who moved from Nigeria to the UK at the age of nine, is a Detty December regular. Despite living abroad for most of her life, she returns to Nigeria every year to reunite with family and friends.

“It’s always important for me to go back to my roots and to go back to my culture,” she says. “Nigeria, for me, will always be home, so when I go back, I’m happiest. And mainly because, especially in December, everyone is on a vibe of happiness.”

Many locals also look forward to joining the party.

“I also look forward to attending Christmas parties and family Christmas gatherings which is a cultural thing in Nigeria where we cook and host each other and it’s always a good time,” says Ademidun Akindele. “This December was really good. Lagos is extremely populated during this time of the year but I can’t complain because it’s good for the economy and it’s amazing to see people.”