In a viral moment that captures the magnetic pull of Nigeria’s festive season, Chicago-based event host Kelvin White has expressed hilarious disbelief at discovering he missed the mass migration to Lagos for “Detty December.”
“Listen, I must have been the only Black person in America that didn’t get the fucking memo to go to Lagos, Nigeria for December,” White exclaimed in a now-popular clip. “I’m seeing celebrities over there. I’m seeing influencers over there. When did all of this get coordinated? And nobody let me know!”
His reaction underscores the explosive growth of Detty December as a premier global destination for Nigerians. The season, which runs through the month, has transformed Lagos into a carnival hub, with this year’s lineup featuring megastars like Burna Boy, Rema, Davido, Wizkid, Busta Rhymes and Gunna, as well as a full slate of top African artists. The economic impact is immense, with over 125,000 international visitors flooding into Nigeria last December, filling hotels and venues.
White, who boasts of throwing “big ass parties” in Chicago, felt a professional sting. “Y’all think I couldn’t turn that fucking city up, Nigeria?” he joked, pledging to attend next year. His journey from confusion, even consulting ChatGPT to understand the hype, to determined planning mirrors the experience of many in the diaspora reconnecting with the continent through its vibrant pop culture.
As one social media user summarised, “Kelvin White is all of us who just found out about Detty December. The FOMO is real!”
