Nigeria takes indigenous cuisine to international stage as over 40 chefs prepare for food festival

By Maryanne Opene

Nigeria is seeking greater international recognition for its indigenous cuisine as more than 40 chefs, judges and officials prepare to showcase the country's diverse food culture at the 2026 West Africa Food Festival in Banjul, The Gambia.

The Nigerian delegation, led by the National President of the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria, Dr Mekwuye Eric, is participating in the festival scheduled for October 15 to 21.

The team is expected to present traditional Nigerian dishes, beverages, locally sourced ingredients and cooking techniques representing the country's six geopolitical zones.

The initiative is part of efforts to promote Nigerian cuisine internationally while creating opportunities for tourism development, cultural exchange and economic growth within the hospitality industry.

According to the association, the delegation will use its Indigenous Country Cuisine Platform to introduce international audiences to authentic Nigerian meals and beverages, alongside the traditional knowledge and cultural stories associated with their preparation.

The presentation is expected to highlight the diversity of Nigerian food beyond internationally familiar dishes, drawing attention to regional delicacies, indigenous ingredients and cooking traditions passed down through generations.

Nigeria's participation will also feature competitions in several culinary categories, including indigenous country cuisine, jollof rice, desserts, cake decoration, vegan cooking, barbecue and culinary innovation.

The competitions will provide participating chefs with opportunities to demonstrate their technical abilities, creativity and understanding of both traditional and contemporary cooking methods.

The West Africa Food Festival brings together culinary professionals and cultural practitioners to promote the region's food traditions, hospitality industry and tourism potential. Previous editions have been hosted in countries including Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Togo, with Ghana hosting the 2025 edition.

The 2026 festival is being organised by The Gambia's Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in partnership with the Gambia Chefs Association.

For Nigeria, the event offers an opportunity to introduce its indigenous ingredients and recipes to a wider audience while exchanging professional knowledge with chefs from other countries.

The association also hopes the participation will encourage the preservation of traditional recipes and cooking methods while supporting the development of professional culinary standards.

Nigeria's culinary promotion efforts come amid growing interest in the economic opportunities presented by food tourism and the hospitality sector.

The country's food culture encompasses a wide range of regional dishes, ingredients and preparation methods shaped by its diverse ethnic groups, agricultural practices and cultural traditions.

Meals such as tuwo shinkafa, pounded yam, afang soup, edikang ikong, amala, moi moi and various indigenous soups reflect the country's culinary diversity.

Industry stakeholders believe that greater international exposure could help Nigerian food businesses reach new markets, attract visitors and create additional opportunities for chefs, farmers, food processors and hospitality operators.

However, sustaining international interest will require more than participation in festivals. Consistent promotion, professional training, investment in food businesses and improved access to local ingredients will be important in turning cultural recognition into lasting economic benefits.

The Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria, established in 2011, represents culinary professionals across more than 21 states, according to information provided by the organisation.

Its activities include professional training, workshops, competitions and initiatives aimed at documenting and promoting indigenous Nigerian recipes.

The association has also organised programmes to support emerging culinary talent, including its National Mentor-Mentee Challenge.

In 2023, it hosted the West Africa Food Festival in Lagos, following its collaboration with the Chef Association of Ghana to develop the event in 2018.

The Nigerian delegation's participation in The Gambia also follows the association's 11th International Culinary Summit, held in Abuja from June 8 to 12, 2026, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy.

ValueJet has been named the association's official airline partner for the Gambian festival, providing travel support for members of the delegation.

The airline's Chief Executive Officer, Omololu Majekodunmi, expressed support for the partnership, noting that it could create opportunities for further collaboration, including the expansion of Nigerian culinary offerings on its flights.

Majekodunmi, who is also a chef, said the partnership could develop into a broader relationship between aviation and the culinary industry.

The collaboration reflects an opportunity to connect Nigerian cuisine with other sectors, particularly aviation, tourism and hospitality, where food can contribute to the overall experience of travellers.

As the delegation showcases the country's culinary traditions in The Gambia, the broader ambition is to strengthen the international profile of Nigerian food and demonstrate its potential to support cultural diplomacy, entrepreneurship and job creation.

Whether the exposure translates into sustained international demand will depend on how effectively Nigeria's culinary industry builds on the opportunity through continued promotion, professional development and investment.