Dr Zo Says Detty December Was Memorable but Financially Unsustainable

Popular Canada-based Nigerian physician, Dr Zo, has shared a candid account of his family’s recent Detty December experience in Lagos, describing it as exciting and deeply fulfilling, but financially draining.

Speaking in a video shared on social media, the doctor revealed that the festive holiday with his family cost between ₦90 million and ₦100 million, covering travel, accommodation, transportation, entertainment, and general lifestyle expenses. According to him, the trip was carefully planned but still exceeded expectations due to unforeseen costs.

Dr Zo explained that flight expenses alone were substantial. While he and his wife travelled premium class and their children flew economy, the family spent about $40,000 on tickets booked months in advance. Weather disruptions in Europe forced them to purchase additional return tickets, further increasing costs. Domestic flights within Nigeria, including trips to the eastern part of the country, also added millions of naira to the bill.

Transportation in Lagos and other cities was another major expense. He noted that the family hired vehicles around the clock for safety and convenience, spending close to ₦9 million on logistics alone. Concert tickets for major Detty December events featuring top Nigerian artistes, luxury short-let accommodation, and daily expenses associated with a high-end lifestyle also contributed significantly to the overall cost.

Despite the financial burden, Dr Zo said the experience was priceless for his family, particularly his children who were born and raised abroad. He described the trip as an opportunity to reconnect with Nigeria beyond negative social media narratives, bond as a family, and expose his children to Nigerian culture and other diaspora families.

However, he warned Nigerians in the diaspora against making Detty December an annual commitment. According to him, the level of spending required, especially for families with adult children and business obligations abroad, makes it unsustainable in the long run.

Dr Zo advised that such trips are better planned once every few years and stressed the importance of making deliberate adjustments to reduce costs in future visits. While he expressed no regrets, he was clear that repeating the experience yearly would be financially impractical.