For want of a better expression, let’s call it Tidy December. While the term sounds strange, consider it a counterforce to the Detty December you know. If theirs glamorises indiscretions, ours should extol discretion. Society gleefully indulges in Detty as a cultural fest, thereby missing out on what packs a more enduring value and heightens the euphoria around Yuletide.
Over this weekend, there were iterations of Tidy December from Lagos to Abuja, Gboko to Kaduna. Just as Detty December draws Nigerians in the diaspora home, guests from all over the world trooped to the country for these spiritual encounters. And lives were transformed through salvation with attendant miracles, signs and wonders!
This piece will try not to be biased towards any, even though “Detty” has been defined as letting loose and indulging in fun and revelry without any care in the world. Who are we to judge how someone chooses to unwind after a strenuous year or impugn the morality of their rivalries? It’s heartwarming that these year-end jollities aren’t a one-way street. There are shouts of joy (not happiness) in the camp of the Lord! About the time that people of the world make merry and splurge, Kingdom citizens are joyfully living it up to the glory of God. It is left for the fun-seeker to determine whether to go where they will return soiled or cleansed!
Meanwhile, both raves cannot be deemed an apple-and-orange parallel – the one is cultural while the other is religious. They are both inspired by music – Detty is secular, while Tidy is gospel. We understand that Nigerian Afrobeat star, Mr Eazi pioneered the term Detty December in 2016 when he used it as a hashtag to promote his first concert in Lagos. Other notable shows, including Wizkid’s “Made in Lagos” homecoming, Burna Boy’s “Lagos Loves Damini”, and Davido’s “Timeless” tour, have all conspired in crystallising the idea into the pop culture it currently is.
The situation isn’t much different from the Tidy December variant, where soul-searing and faith-boosting music is a major attraction. The Experience staged by The House on the Rock is a two-decade-strong yearly celebration of worship, prayer, and music. The free music concert, which took place at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos Friday night, was such a talk of the town that it topped the trends chart on X. One of the ministers at the all-night meeting, Pastor Poju Oyemade said, “The Experience is the largest gathering of worshippers globally.” A highlight of the Jesus United fest was the offering of prophetic prayers for churches in northern Nigeria, given the underlying currents to the United States’ designation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern.
Mindful of the popularity and contributions of The Experience to the state’s economy, the Lagos government announced that: “Commuters heading to The Experience 2025 can now travel with ease..: To manage the anticipated surge in passenger movement to and from Lagos Island, the LRMT Blue Line will run longer hours on Friday, December 5, 2025, till 11.43 pm beyond its operational closing time of 9.30 pm. While on Saturday, December 6, 2025, operation will commence at 4:00 am, running through 9:30 pm, to support post-event return trips.”
Moving on, enchanting music ministration was also a major component of Dominion City’s Night of Glory, which took place the same Friday in Abuja. An array of A-rated gospel artists catapulted hundreds of thousands of worshippers into the heavenly realm. So many lives and destinies were impacted as Pastor David Ogbueli and other anointed vessels ministered at the jam-packed Moshood Abiola National Stadium. Worthy of mention is the case of a young man whose mom died shortly after giving birth to him. He was under a violent affliction of insanity until his miraculous deliverance at the Night of Glory. While sharing his testimony, Dr Ogbueli saw that the young man, who doesn’t even have a formal education, has a glorious destiny and was meant to lift several people out of poverty. He offered him a million Naira as seed capital and handed the young man over to be mentored by an investment banker who flew in from Canada. And there goes someone whose entire life, not just his December, is now tidied up!
Unlike Detty December, which has essentially been a Lagos affair, Tidy December is decentralised. From last week into the weekend, people in other parts of the country saw their cities come alive. At the Kaduna Jesus Crusade, Ungwan Maichibi Primary School field was packed out as God used Evangelist Daniel Du Toit, a protégé of the renowned late Reinhard Bonnke, to bless attendees with salvation, healing, and deliverance. The excitement extended to Gboko, Benue State, where Bro Gbile Akanni and his Living Seed Team hosted a well-attended Ministers’ Leadership Retreat 2025 with the theme “Times of Refreshing from the Presence of the Lord”. Yet, these are just the beginning, as this is the week of Shiloh – described as the 27th in the series of Heaven’s visitations on earth.
The revving of Tidy December has also been seen in the distribution of food items to indigent members of the public by some churches to ameliorate hunger in this season. Orphanages have also benefited from this charitable largesse. From all indications, the Yuletide will see Jesus being glorified in every corner of the country with the people getting uplifted in the process. He said categorically in John 12:32, “And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” (NLT).
Detty December is apparently still booting because its spinoffs principally target the diaspora community, who are awaiting the holidays to start flying in. As the homecoming shows and secular celebrations peak in a few days, Tidy December will be patiently waiting to match the vibes and energy with festival of Christmas carols, End-of-year Thanksgiving and the December 31st Prophetic Crossover Service. These programmes are so appealing that one wouldn’t be surprised to see the participation of those who returned for Detty December!
However, the crux of this intervention is that we don’t foresee any dull moment that should make the believer sacrifice remaining tidy to be dirty this season. To avoid the temptations of Detty December, the saved should take advantage of faith-based events. The derivable benefits from such encounters aren’t momentary or fleeting but eternal. In an event where their cherished church doesn’t have such programmes lined up, they should relish those organised by non-denominational organisations. Here’s calling on all faith-based entities to carpe diem by keying into #TidyDecember.
Beyond big cities, parties and outings, it must be pointed out that Detty December is open to whimsical domestications in the countryside. This is by IJGB guys (I Just Got Back, even when not from Overseas) who will attempt to do some dirty on the idle and unsuspecting. Churches must shield the vulnerable from these predators and con artists by keeping people busy with Tidy December activities!
VIS Ugochukwu writes from Lagos, and tweets @Sylvesugwuanyi
