Detty December Heats Up: Asake, Davido, and Rema Tickets Go Above ₦250,000

Asake (Afrobeat Artist)

"Detty December" is back, and this year, tickets for the homecoming concerts are extremely expensive. Unlike concerts held mid-year, which are often free due to brand sponsorships, the holiday line-up of A-list Afrobeats stars now comes with massive price tags.

This year, ticket prices are reaching ₦250,000 and even more. For example, a ticket for Asake is selling for ₦300,000 (December 24th), Rema's ticket is ₦250,000 (December 21st), and Davido’s ticket is also ₦250,000 (December 25th). However, a few other performers, such as Olamide, cost ₦120,000 (December 23rd) and Flavour, ₦120,000 (December 22nd).

This sharp increase has caused an online debate, but many view it as a sign of how concerts have changed. Nigerian artists now perform on global stages with top-quality production—large screens, high-end lighting, better security, and detailed stage designs. These costs, along with limits on venue capacity since the pandemic and higher logistical expenses, have forced promoters to rethink the old "Regular/VIP/Table" system. Consequently, "Detty December" events now feel more like luxury cultural experiences than the basic parties of the 2010s. Tables cost millions of Naira, VIP areas look like exclusive lounges, and standard tickets are becoming rare, replaced by complicated zone-based pricing. The main question for fans is: Has Afrobeats become too expensive for its local audience?

Industry Response

Commenting on the ticket prices, Obi Asika, a music executive and Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), defended the cost, stating that promoters, not the artists, set the prices: “That’s down to show promoters and for premium shows there is a premium fee”, he said and called for more mass market shows and sponsor support to make tickets affordable.

Michael Odiong, CEO of Premier Records Limited, explained the extremely high prices as a result of both business demands and current economic difficulties. He pointed out that production costs, including venues, security, sound systems, lights, and transportation, have all increased. This means promoters have to charge more to cover their expenses and still make a profit.

“The downside is clear: many loyal fans, especially low income ones, are being priced out. Artists can do better by offering more affordable tiers, live streams or subsidised shows so that poorer fans aren’t completely excluded. High prices may make business sense, but they don’t feel good for fans who can no longer afford to see the stars they love.,” Odiong stated.

Eseijie Emma, DJ Bella’s manager, expressed deep concern: “It’s becoming too obvious that something is wrong in the way our major artists now approach their shows during Detty December. Ticket prices have reached a level that feels completely disconnected from the realities of the average Nigerian fan.”

He warned that simply copying international prices without considering what local people can afford turns entertainment into something only the wealthy can access (exclusion). 

“Even basic access now costs what many people earn in an entire month. That is not entertainment anymore—that is exclusion,” Emma added,

He remembered a time when standard tickets were cheap and the audience included all types of people, creating a national celebration atmosphere that is now disappearing.

The discussion carries on as fans compare the worth of expensive, high-quality concert experiences with the need for gigs that are both affordable and open to everyone.