As Lagos gears up for its annual "Detty December" festivities, the cost of short-term rentals in the city's premium areas has reached staggering new heights, prompting shock and disbelief from even well-known celebrities.
Celebrity Outrage Over Sky-High Rates
Two popular BBNaija stars, Leo DaSilva and Nina Ivy, have taken to social media to lament what they describe as "ridiculous" and "jaw-dropping" prices for short-let apartments in Lagos. Their complaints, made public on December 6, 2025, highlight a festive season pricing trend that many find unsustainable.
Leo DaSilva shared screenshots from a booking platform revealing an apartment in Victoria Island (VI) listed at $9,350, which translates to over ₦14 million for a mere 11-night stay. In his caption, he humorously yet pointedly noted the absurdity, writing: "Nothing is funnier than the prices of VI and Ikoyi apartments this December."
Nina's Personal Experience with Lekki Costs
Not to be outdone, fellow reality star Nina Ivy quickly corroborated Leo's sentiments with her own recent experience. She disclosed that she had just paid ₦4.2 million for a 13-night stay in Lekki. After checking newer listings, she was stunned to find some hosts demanding up to ₦700,000 or even ₦900,000 per night.
"THIS IS RIDICULOUS… Some places have the nerve to charge 700k per night. You must be raving mad," Nina wrote in her post, insisting that some Lagos property owners have "lost their minds" with their current pricing strategies.
Public Backlash and Market Realities
Leo suggested that short-let owners are banking on high demand from both local and international visitors during December. However, he warned that this strategy might backfire, as travelers could opt for more competitively priced hotel packages instead. "Hotels will get more bookings this December and you will have to reduce your prices," he predicted.
The public reaction on social media echoed the celebrities' frustrations. One user, @AyodeleTim1, shared a story of negotiating for a GRA apartment months in advance, only to find a better and cheaper deal elsewhere after the initial host refused to budge on a "ridiculous price."
Another, @NejeebBello, recounted an attempted exploitation where someone wanted to book his Airbnb rooms for months to relist them at a higher profit, with a refund clause if the scheme failed. His response was a firm rejection.
A third commenter, @Humanxxx00, noted a shift in preference from short-lets back to hotels, citing excessive additional charges like cleaning and service fees that make the overall cost unreasonable.
The outcry from Leo, Nina, and netizens paints a clear picture of a market pushing its limits. As the Detty December season unfolds, it remains to be seen whether these premium prices will hold or if, as Leo forecasted, a market correction is imminent.
