A sample of Christmas cheer from Nigeria

Adejoke Fasubaa lives in the outskirts of Lagos and has lovingly decorated her balcony for Christmas. Last year, she decorated the whole building but this year the landlord didn't have enough money. She believes "the neighborhood should make its own decoration statement, especially at this time of year."

Normally, Efficiency Igwe just sells stationery in his small shop in Abuja's Wuse Market. But during the run-up to Christmas, artificial Christmas trees and tinsel decorations are on offer as well. "Trade is brisk," he said. "Nigerians are buying just as much as last year. It's as if there is no recession."

Nigeria's department stores stock all the trappings of a yuletide winter landscape starting the last week of November. Fake snow, ornaments and piles of tinsel are strewn around the premises, sparkling in the artificial lighti as 'White Christmas ' blares through the loudspeakers. All this while outside, hot, dry and dusty trade wind are blowing.

Even though times are hard, Nigerians are not scrimping on Christmas decorations. The price for artificial trees starts around 80 euros ($83). This supermarket sells almost every seasonal accessory - Santa Claus costumes included. Local tailors also report that business is booming as everybody wants new clothes for the holidays.

Supermarket shelves are well stocked. There's no shortage of marzipan potatoes or of chocolate Santas. With a clientele of expatriates and cosmopolitan Nigerians, shops are now selling more traditionally European Christmas goodies.

During the Christmas season, big corporations don't just step up their billboard campaigns, they also distribute free groceries and small gifts. An Indonesian noodle company has been holding Christmas parties for some 100,000 schoolchildren and their teachers since 2005. The festivities are held in six cities complete with noodles, quizzes and essay competitions.

Nigeria's Muslim and Christian communities are almost the same size and the country is considered one of the most religious in the world. People flock to churches during Christmas time. This church in Akowonjo, a semi-urban community in Lagos State, is always packed on New Year's Eve with worshipers ending the old year and beginning the new on a spiritual note.

Nigeria's capital Abuja has adopted the slogan "Center of Unity." With 800,000 inhabitants with a range of ethnic backgrounds and faiths living peacefully side by side, the theme of unity is an apt choice for the city. Binta Babajo and Diana Ogunmola are of different faiths but do not let religious conflicts enter their lives. "We are neighbors, we celebrate together" they said.

The Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival is a huge annual event in Nigeria. In December 2015, it made it into the Guiness Book of World Records when 25,272 carol singers participated in what the organizers describe on their website as a "glittering carnival of song, dance, worship and fun."

Victoria Island is the main business and financial hub in Lagos. David Eshioke takes care of Zenith Bank's Christmas lighting. This means that he has to switch on the generator at regular intervals. "This year, I'm doing this job for the third time. It's worth it," he said.