Short-stay apartments across Lagos recorded strong demand during the 2025 Detty December festive season, driven largely by diaspora Nigerians returning home for the holidays.
Investigations showed that apartments in prime locations such as Ikoyi, Ikeja, Lekki, Victoria Island, Surulere and Gbagada experienced near-full occupancy from early December through January, despite noticeable seasonal price increases.
Operators said the trend reflects a growing preference among festive visitors for flexible, private and family-friendly accommodation options over traditional hotels, reinforcing the role of short-let apartments in Lagos’ hospitality and real estate ecosystem.
Operators interviewed said the season delivered strong returns, with diaspora visitors accounting for the longest stays and highest spending.
Ambassador Moyosore Badejo, Chief Operating Officer of Deity Homes Int’l Limited, said bookings built up from early December and extended into late January, adding that “Moderate rate increases of about 40% during the festive season ensured steady bookings. In contrast, extreme hikes — sometimes doubling standard rates — did not always translate to better occupancy.”
Other operators cited higher operating costs and demand pressures, while guests highlighted the flexibility, privacy and cost advantages of short-stay apartments, even as concerns were raised about transparency around additional charges such as generator fuel during power outages.