Popular Nigerian entrepreneur Laura Ikeji has issued a strong warning about the growing culture of exploitation during the festive period, stating that unchecked greed could destroy the beloved Detty December tradition.
Exploitation of Returnees and Inflated Prices
In a video posted on her Instagram page on December 16, 2025, the media personality expressed deep frustration. She highlighted a troubling trend where service providers and landlords dramatically increase prices in December, specifically targeting Nigerians visiting from abroad, often called IJGB (I Just Got Back).
Ikeji shared a personal anecdote to illustrate the point. She revealed that while she previously paid ₦70,000 for a specific hairstyle, her braider now demands ₦200,000 for the same service for a client during December. The stylist even suggested Ikeji charge the client ₦250,000.
"Nigerians? We are greedy," Ikeji stated bluntly in the video. She emphasized that many diaspora Nigerians are not excessively wealthy but are regular people who have saved diligently to enjoy the holidays at home.
The Economic Impact on the Festive Season
Laura Ikeji cautioned that this short-sighted exploitation could have severe long-term consequences. If visitors are consistently met with inflated costs for essentials like accommodation, transportation, beauty services, and entertainment, they may choose not to return.
"We will ruin this Detty December with our hands, and we will all rest," she warned. This would ultimately hurt the very businesses that rely on the seasonal boom. Detty December has become a major economic driver for Lagos and other cities, boosting sectors like hospitality, fashion, and entertainment through concerts, weddings, and nightlife.
While acknowledging that December is her most profitable business period, Ikeji stressed that profit should not override fairness. "I sell the most during December, but I am not a greedy person," she added.
Landlords and the Airbnb Effect
The criticism extended beyond service providers to property owners. Ikeji linked the surge in rental costs across Nigeria to the popularity of short-term rental platforms like Airbnb.
"Airbnb is the reason why rent is expensive in Nigeria. Landlords realised people are charging hundreds of thousands per day," she argued. This mindset, she believes, has fueled a broader culture of seeing December visitors as easy targets for financial exploitation.
"You guys are exploiting these people. It's annoying. These are regular people abroad, hustling for their money," Ikeji concluded, urging a collective rethink of hospitality and pricing during the holidays to preserve the spirit and economic benefits of Detty December.
