December is only an hour away, and the IJGBs have already started flying in with a lot of excitement, while some of us are asking them to read the room. If you just got back (IJGB) to Lagos, here are ten things you should know about Lagos, especially in December.
1. Traffic Is Not Your Mate
It’s Detty December; everyone and their cousin is outside. So, don’t get confused when a 15-minute trip suddenly becomes 1 hour or your friend who left Lagos for London gets there before you even cross the 3rd Mainland Bridge. Plan your movements very carefully, or get a pillow.
2. Don’t Compete With The Ballers
The exchange rate may feel like a cash-out, plus the constant “hailing” you’ll hear outside can get to your head. Relax, Lagos is not cheap, and you won’t know till your eyes are red. So the next time you feel like going band for band in the club with the Lagos big boys, remember it’s their lifestyle, and you’re on vacation.
3. Always Dress Like It’s Your Birthday
In Lagos, you will be treated differently if you’re too simply dressed; you may even get excluded from some activities. Once you don’t get invited to the afters, just know you should have dressed up better. To avoid this, treat every outing like it’s your birthday, or you’ll fail Lagos 101. Believe us, you don’t want that.
4. Naira or Nothing
After the “gbese” Lagos service providers and businesses faced last Detty December from tourists and IJGBs, they paid in foreign currencies, went back home, and their banks processed chargebacks on services that were already delivered—sounds crazy, but it’s true. Now, no one is accepting international card payments anymore, so call your ‘aboki’ immediately after you land.
5. You’ll Fall in ‘Love’ and Get Tourist Price
We’ll call it the Detty Lagos experience. Someone will charm you and show you an unpredictable, short-lived Lagos romance, and most service providers will up their price if you make it obvious you’re an IJGB. FYI, your accent is a dead giveaway—don’t talk, just smile and wave.
6. Have Someone Verify The Airbnb Before Payment
Not everything you see on the internet is true; we all know this. So before you rush to book that short let that seems like a Christmas gift, make sure to have someone in Lagos go and check it out. Don’t be a victim of what I ordered versus what I got.
7. Party RSVPs Aren’t Suggestions
If the poster says RSVP, respect yourself and RSVP. Lagos events fill up faster than you think. Avoid hearing “e no dey my hand.” Then reserve your spot fast; it’s December. Better safe than sorry.
8. You Need a Plug. Full Stop.
If you don’t know someone who knows somebody or has access, Detty December can humble you quickly. Clubs and hotspots are always booked in December—connection beats currency.
So, you find a plug or befriend one immediately.
9. Follow The Lagos Weekender (We Are the Real Plug)
If you want to know what’s happening and where, follow us. Check our weekly calendar or join our WhatsApp community, and watch out for ticket giveaways. IJGBs who don’t stay updated end up asking the wrong people the wrong questions at the wrong time.
10. Enjoyment + Chaos = Detty December
It’s vibes and madness—sometimes it’s magic, all in one night. Not all plans will go as planned; you will have to go with the flow on a couple of occasions. If you’re landing soon, save these tips, and you’ll navigate the city like someone who didn’t just get back.
Lagos in December is almost always a mix of enjoyment and chaos, and it’s quite easy to be confused by all of it. So, if you just landed or you’re booking that ticket. Save these tips, and you’ll be just fine.
