Detty December has evolved into its own season, a glittering, high-octane festival of concerts, raves, brunches, beach takeovers, pop-ups, and the most interesting addition is the enthusiastic I Just Got Backs (IJGBs) who arrive in Nigeria and Ghana for Detty December.
So, before you begin your annual migration to the streets, here’s your stress-free Detty December guide, built especially for IJGBs (and anyone who wants to enjoy like one).
1. Pay With Bank Transfers
In Nigeria, the fastest and most reliable way to pay is still a bank transfer. And because we operate in a low-trust environment, every transfer needs to hit the receiver’s phone immediately, no delays, no “I never see alert.” That’s why having a proper bank account (digital or traditional, your choice) is non-negotiable if you want to move around confidently this holiday season. Still, because the season is chaotic, Accrue got you.
Download Accrue. It lets you live like a local by seamlessly converting your money to Naira or Cedi, so you can pay, tip, buy, and enjoy December without stress. For the smoothest experience, prioritize sending money to people who bank with Opay or Moniepoint; their confirmations are lightning-fast, and you’ll be on your merry way in seconds.
Tip: You’ll need both BVN and NIN to run a fully functional bank account in Nigeria.
2. Cards Work
Americans love paying with cards, and luckily, most Nigerian establishments are set up to accept them. You’ll find POS terminals everywhere, accepting Mastercard, Visa, and Verve cards. Bigger outlets will even process your foreign Mastercard or Visa, though be ready for the fees charged by the payment networks. They’ll also work on every ATM.
If you want to avoid the stress, your best bet is to walk into your digital or traditional bank and pick up a Naira-denominated card. These work seamlessly across the country.
For digital subscriptions, especially those billed in Naira or tied to Nigerian rates, this is the perfect time to renew your Naira cards.
And if you want something faster, simpler, and built for travel? Get the Accrue Virtual Dollar Card. Load it instantly from your Accrue balance and use it for shopping, subscriptions, and online payments without worrying about bank queues or surprise declines.
3. You Will Need Cash
Even with all the progress in digital payments, a large share of Nigerian transactions, both in cities and rural areas, still run on cash. Add to that the fact that NIBSS and the big banks typically experience lengthy service disruptions on the 24th and 31st, and you’ll see why cash remains king during the holidays.
A lot of people in the informal sector, like your Suya guy, the Akara/Ewa Agoyin auntie, and the police checkpoint operatives between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m., don’t care about any of that; they want cash, not transfers.
So, visit your bank or POS agents to stack up on cash and mint notes. Move around with enough cash for transport, parking, street vendors, and emergency situations. Don’t rely on POS terminals, and yes, spray money responsibly. EFCC is watching.
4. Loans: Avoid Over-Detting Your December
Most visitors coming to Nigeria for events or tourism end up blowing past their planned budgets, and for all kinds of reasons. So, if your money finishes, and you want some loans, there are options.
Recommendations: Go to lenders like Carbon and FairMoney and request a short-term loan while you wait for your next remittance to land. It keeps your finances clean, your accounts safe, and your holiday stress-free.
5. Events: The Reason You’re Here
We know why you’re here. Events, concerts, and Detty December madness. Luckily, the folks at Partyvest and Tix have you covered. They handle everything from online payments to ticket resales and refunds, as well as QR code verification at the gate.
And while you’re outside, take my recommendation and check out the Eat Drink Festival, Motherland Festival, Flytime Fest, and Palmwine Music Fest. December is stacked, so enjoy every bit of it. If you’re a fan of raves, consider attending Group Therapy and Monochroma.
Pro tip: Download or screenshot your tickets before you go. Network congestion during big events can happen, and you don’t want to be that person holding up the line.
6. Food & Groceries: When Hunger Strikes
For food and groceries, make your life easier by downloading Chowdeck, Glovo, Mano, and GoLemon.
From late-night small chops to full-course meals, supermarket runs, fresh produce, and last-minute essentials, these apps will save you from unnecessary stress and Lagos traffic. Delivery times can vary based on peak hours and location, so order early when you can and always keep a backup option handy.
They work, and they’ll keep you fed, stocked, and sane throughout your Detty December adventures.
7. Mobility: How To Get Around Without Tears
Uber, Bolt, LagRide, and Indrive all operate at full blast in December, so be prepared for heavy surge pricing and longer wait times, especially during peak hours, major concerts, and festival weekends. Plan your movements early, and always have backup transportation options.
8. Crypto: For the Decentralised IJGBs
If you prefer to run your finances off-chain and are looking for a reliable crypto-to-fiat bridge, Accrue has you covered. It’s especially useful if you don’t have a BVN or you’re visiting from abroad. You can also check out Onboard and UseAzza for additional off-ramp options.
Move smart, swap clean, enjoy December.
Welcome to Nigeria & Ghana
These are our curated, battle-tested recommendations for surviving and enjoying this Detty December. Whether you’re here to reconnect with culture, party till sunrise, see family, or tour West Africa, may your payments never fail, and your enjoyment never end.
Stay safe, give back where you can, and have a Merry Christmas.
Happy Detty December, IJGBs!
I’ve lived many lives, but one lesson ties them all together: money is only as powerful as its utility. Through my work, I share stories about money and create guides for Africans who want to get the best out of theirs.