Big Brother Naija reality stars Leo DaSilva and Nina Ivy have ignited a major online conversation after publicly condemning the skyrocketing prices of short-let apartments in Lagos for the ongoing festive season, popularly known as Detty December.
Reality Stars Sound the Alarm on Social Media
The controversy began when Leo DaSilva took to his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), to share screenshots revealing what he described as outrageous booking costs for apartments in upscale Lagos areas like Victoria Island and Ikoyi. He accused Lagos hosts of "overdoing things" this December, capitalizing on the high demand.
According to DaSilva, many property owners are operating with the assumption that bookings are guaranteed during this peak period. He, however, issued a warning that this strategy might backfire. "Hotels will likely take most of the customers, forcing short-let owners to slash their inflated prices," he predicted.
Shocking Figures and Personal Experiences Revealed
One of the screenshots shared by Leo showed a booking for an 11-night stay priced at a staggering US$9,350, which is over ₦14 million at current exchange rates. He sarcastically noted that this was for a "just okay place," adding, "Nothing is funnier than the prices of VI and Ikoyi apartments this December."
Fellow BBNaija alumna Nina Ivy quickly amplified the issue by reposting Leo's tweet and sharing her own costly experience. She disclosed that she paid ₦4.2 million for a 13-night stay at an Airbnb in Lekki. Expressing her disbelief at some listings charging ₦700,000 for a single night, she wrote, "THIS IS RIDICULOUS… You must be raving mad."
Public Backlash and The Detty December Debate
The revelations from the two celebrities have sparked massive engagement and a continuous debate on social media platforms. The conversation has expanded beyond mere celebrity gossip to touch on broader issues like:
- The high cost of living in Lagos during the festive season.
- The commercial pressure of Detty December on both visitors and service providers.
- The perceived gentrification of Lagos's festive experience, where participation becomes a luxury.
As highlighted in the original report by Chidinma Enweani for Guardian Life, Detty December transforms Lagos into a hub of commerce and entertainment. Everyone from event planners to short-let owners seeks to profit from the seasonal boom. This price surge has led many to question whether the spirit of the season is being overshadowed by profiteering, creating a divide between those who can afford the exorbitant costs and those who are priced out.
The backlash led by Leo DaSilva and Nina Ivy underscores a growing frustration with the inflation of leisure costs in Nigeria's commercial capital. Whether this will lead to a market correction, as Leo suggested, remains to be seen as the December festivities continue.
