Shakara Festival positions as Afrobeats’ affordable Detty December hub

L-R: Abiola Dacosta- Ajayi, ED & Founding Partner, Shakara Festival; Shehu Raji, Production Manager, Shakara Festival; Godson Oriaku, CEO, Shakara Festival; Tosin Ajayi, Programme Manager, Shakara Festival and Mich Straaw, Nigerian Artist at the Shakara Festival Press Conference that held in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

As Detty December approaches, Shakara Festival is set to launch its inaugural edition from December 18 to 21, 2025, at Nautica Beach Resort in Elegushi, Lekki. With general admission tickets priced at N25,000 per day, the festival targets Afrobeats fans who may find other events too costly, offering a four-day lineup of music, panels, and activities in one location.

Organizers project a successful first year, aiming to establish the event as a central spot for music, culture, and community.

The festival’s pricing strategy addresses a common issue in Nigeria’s music scene, where ticket costs for major shows often exclude a large segment of fans. Shehu Raji, Production Manager, Shakara Festival explained the approach in a recent statement: “The regular ticket sells for N25,000 per day for general admission, and this is in line with having the fans who are priced out of more expensive shows.” This makes Shakara accessible to a broader audience, including those seeking value during the busy Detty December period, when Lagos hosts numerous events from early December through New Year’s Eve.

Attendees can buy single-day passes or a full four-day package at discounted rates via the festival’s website at https://shakarafestival.com/tickets. To enhance the on-site experience, the event introduces Shakara currency, which visitors must purchase and use exclusively at the venue for food, drinks, and other purchases. This system aims to build a sense of community among attendees, as Godson Oriaku, CEO of Shakara Festival, noted: “We have Shakara currency by the way, so that’s what you spend, we’re trying to make it like an all-inclusive ecosystem for when you come, you enjoy your festival.”

The festival’s structure supports its role as a Detty December hub by packing diverse activities into four days, reducing the need for fans to attend multiple scattered events. It features four key zones: Shakara Junction, a marketplace for vendors selling food, beverages, arts, crafts, and other items; Shakara Series, a set of panel discussions on music and related topics; Shakara Games Village, an area for gaming; and Shakara After Dark, a late-night party series. This setup allows visitors to arrive in the morning and stay through the evening, maximizing their time without the fatigue of late starts common in Nigerian concerts.

Oriaku highlighted the festival’s daytime focus: “Lots of programs, festivals and concerts start very late in Nigeria. So people come, leave their houses in the morning or in the evening, get to your concert at say seven o’clock, and the DJ plays till like 3 a.m. before they have to come. It doesn’t even make sense because you’ve wasted their productive hours, and they’re even tired before; they can’t even respond adequately.” To counter this, Shakara schedules panels in the mornings, music performances in the evenings, and after-parties at night, with accommodations provided for artists near the venue to ensure timely starts.

The musical lineup spans Afrobeats, Alternative, Highlife, and other genres, featuring over 50 artists. It includes established acts like BlaqBonez and Show Dem Camp for rap and Alté, alongside rising stars such as Mavo, Llona, Tar1q, and Morravey in Afrobeats. Folk-fusion comes from Brymo and Johnny Drille, while The Cavemen handle Highlife. Diaspora connections are made through Oshamo and Keys The Prince, the latter making his Nigeria debut with viral tracks. Soul and R&B elements feature J’Dess and Mich Straaw.

A partnership with Tems’ Leading Vibes initiative adds emerging talent, with five cohorts selected to perform. Tosin Ajayi, part of the organizing team, emphasized the variety: “We wanted Shakara Festival to be a place that everyone can come to in December, not have to think too much about different events that would be going across from the 1st to the 31st, just have it all in one place, four days, and just want to have a variety of genres.” Ajayi also noted the inclusion of UK-based artists like Keys The Prince and Nigerian staples like Brymo and MI to appeal to both local and diaspora audiences.

The event builds to a climax on December 21 with Shakara Gospel Day, dedicating the final day to gospel music. Performers include Gbenga Akinfenwa, SMJ, Yinka Alaseyori, Bidemi Olaoba, Sinach, Kingdom, Magpsalms, Ada Ehi, and Gerald Bishung. Oriaku linked this to Nigeria’s cultural context: “We are going to be doing a gospel night on the last day, and that’s born out of the religiosity of Nigerians; we’ve seen that over the years, when we make provisions for people to come for the last day.”

Shakara After Dark stands out as a nightlife component, with Obi’s House taking over on December 20. The series features DJs like Shawn and Bonamax to extend the energy post-main stage. This aligns with Detty December’s party vibe but keeps it contained within the festival grounds.

Organizers prioritize artist welfare and attendee safety, drawing on their industry experience. Raji, with 20 years in artist management (including P-Square and MayD), stressed a holistic approach with security measures involving coordination with Lagos and federal government agencies.

Mich Straaw, a performing artist and panel participant, praised the festival’s artist focus making sure that artists get the necessary attention and treatment and are paid accordingly.

The Shakara Series panels address industry issues over three days. Day one covers music, tourism, arts, and culture. Day two focuses on women in entertainment, aiming to promote equality in a male-dominated field. Day three explores music, AI, and tech, including payment solutions for visitors from abroad, in partnership with firms like Flutterwave.

The team’s background strengthens projections for success. Oriaku and Raji previously collaborated at AfroNation, and the group includes Burna Boy’s sound engineer, Dayo.

By combining affordable tickets with a comprehensive program, Shakara Festival seeks to become a staple in Detty December calendars. Its focus on inclusivity—through pricing, diverse genres, and family-friendly elements—positions it as an alternative to pricier, single-night events.

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