I once watched a guy land at MMIA with the confidence of someone who earns in dollars, only to check his account on day five and whisper that quiet Lagos December prayer: “God, abeg.” It is wild how fast money moves in this city. One minute you are popping suya at 2 a.m, the next you are calculating exchange rates like it is NECO maths.
TL;DR
Plan your Lagos December like a project. Budget in blocks, factor in Nigeria’s random surprises, and keep a spending buffer. Lagos will test you, so plan with sense.
Start With a Reality Check
It sounds harsh, but Lagos December is not normal life. Prices go up. Traffic goes up. Vibes go up. Your spending will follow the same pattern if you walk in blindly. I think this is where many people abroad get surprised, because you try to convert in your head and it feels cheap until you realise things add up fast when everyone is outside daily.
Build a Simple Vibe Budget
Break it into five parts so your head is clear: flights, accommodation, movement, food, and December waka. This helps you avoid doing freestyle spending where you tap your card like it is a hobby. A rough framework keeps you from waking up on the 28th and calling your bank in a panic.
Lock Your Flight and Stay Early
The earlier you book, the calmer your bank account feels. Flights spike by mid November. Shortlets also double, especially on the Island. If you can stay with family, great. If not, book a place and pay for cleaning ahead. Lagos December is not the moment to gamble accommodation.
Plan Movement Like a Lagosian
If you rely only on ride apps, your money will enter gym mode and start disappearing. Prices surge without warning. Try mixing options: ride apps for nights, local taxis for short trips, even BRT if you are feeling adventurous. And keep cash. Lagos is dramatic and POS failures happen without apology.
Put Food and Drinks in Their Own Box
People underestimate this part. You will eat out a lot, even when you swear you will not. Restaurants in December are packed and pricey. Drinks cost more at events. Suya solves a lot of problems, but even suya money has gone premium. Set a daily food ceiling so you do not get carried away by vibes.
Budget for Events or Stay Home Happily
Concerts, beach parties, club entries, brunch runs, and random hangouts look harmless individually. Together, they behave like rent. Decide early on the key events you want. Pay ahead when possible. A simple list keeps you from falling for peer pressure every weekend.
Build a Yoruba Demon Buffer
This is the fun part. Add an extra twenty to thirty percent on top of your total budget. Lagos will present random temptations and emergencies. Generator spoil. Gifts. Currency drama. One spontaneous night out that turns into three stopovers. The buffer helps you enjoy without guilt.
Decide Your Currency Strategy
Do you convert everything at once, or do you spread it out? If you are earning abroad, use a mix: hold some in forex for stability and convert in batches so you do not lose your mind watching the rate jump. Use trusted channels and avoid last minute airport rates.
Track Lightly So You Do Not Cry Later
You do not need a full spreadsheet. A simple notes app works. Write your starting budget, then add things as you go. In my experience, this small habit saves you from getting lost in the excitement and waking up shocked.
The Takeaway
Lagos December is sweet, but it is sweeter when your money lasts till January. Plan small, enjoy big. And if you get it right, you will land back abroad smiling instead of promising to cancel Lagos forever like some people do every year. Let the city thrill you, not drain you.