Stop Overcharging Nigerians Laura Ikeji Slams Festive Price Hikes During Detty December
Beauty entrepreneur and social media influencer Laura Ikeji Kanu has publicly criticised Nigerian businesses over what she described as excessive and unfair price increases during the festive season popularly known as “Detty December.” Her comments have sparked widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians sharing similar experiences.
Laura shared her frustration in a video posted on her Instagram page, where she complained about how prices for everyday services suddenly skyrocket once December arrives. According to her, many service providers take advantage of the festive season to exploit customers, especially Nigerians returning from abroad.
Using hair braiding as a clear example, Laura revealed that a hairstyle she paid ₦70,000 for before travelling out of Nigeria is now being quoted at ₦200,000, with some hair stylists even asking for as much as ₦250,000 simply because it is December. She described the increase as unreasonable and difficult to justify.
She explained that while she understands that December is usually a busy and profitable period for businesses, it should not be an excuse to overcharge customers. According to Laura, such behaviour only creates frustration and can ruin the festive spirit many people look forward to all year.
Laura also addressed the common belief that Nigerians living abroad are extremely wealthy and can easily afford inflated prices. She stressed that many people in the diaspora are regular workers who save for months to visit home and enjoy the holidays, not to be financially exploited.
In addition, she criticised the housing sector, claiming that the rise of short-term rentals such as Airbnb has contributed to higher rent prices across the country. She alleged that some landlords now apply short-let pricing logic to yearly rent, making accommodation more expensive for residents.
Laura questioned why a service that already costs ₦70,000 should suddenly triple in price within a short period. She noted that even the original price was already high, making the festive increase feel more like greed than business sense.
She concluded by urging Nigerian businesses to be fair and considerate, warning that unchecked greed affects not just individuals but the overall economy and reputation of the country during the festive season.
