By Ghazali Ibrahim
Nigerian singer and entrepreneur Mr Eazi has publicly claimed that he is the originator of the now‑popular phrase “Detty December,” a term widely associated with year‑end celebrations across West Africa.
The artist, whose real name is Tosin Ajibade, made the revelation while speaking at his Detty Rave concert held in Accra, Ghana. According to Mr Eazi, the phrase was first coined by him and his colleagues in 2016 when they were organising a December event. He said the idea of using “Detty December” as a name and hashtag for their festive activities caught on and eventually became a cultural trend embraced by young people during the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
“So in 2016, me and my guys invented Detty December… Detty December is all about going back to your roots, having fun and enjoying life intentionally,” he said.
However, Mr Eazi was quick to emphasise that the phrase and movement now belong to the people and have grown beyond any one individual.
“Detty December is bigger than Mr Eazi. It’s bigger than anybody,” he added.
The claim has stirred conversations, as the exact origin of Detty December has been debated.
The term is widely used in both Nigeria and Ghana to describe a period of vibrant festivities, parties and homecoming activities that typically occur from mid‑December through early January.
