The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans for major investment in gastronomy to strengthen the nation’s economy and attract foreign investment through the culinary arts.
Minister of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, disclosed this during a media briefing in Abuja ahead of the Mega Renewed Hope NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival scheduled for December.
Musawa said the event will feature an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the world’s longest dining table, describing the initiative as a tool for economic inclusion and youth empowerment.
She emphasized that gastronomy, like film, music, and fashion, plays a vital role in Nigeria’s creative economy, adding that food has become a powerful medium of cultural diplomacy and international recognition.
“When we talk about economic growth and youth development, gastronomy plays a role just like film, music, and fashion. People eat every day, and Nigeria has made significant progress in showcasing its food globally,” Musawa stated.
The Minister praised the creativity of Nigerians promoting indigenous dishes abroad and noted that the upcoming festival would showcase the country’s culinary diversity while boosting tourism and global visibility.
Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Dr. Abisoye Fagade, revealed that the event’s theme, “Oriki: Taste of Culture,” reflects the government’s vision under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Fagade announced that a 3.6-kilometre dining table will host 2,000 to 3,000 participants during the festival. “We plan to break the record in the morning of December 6 and use the same table for a dining event later in the day,” he said.
He added that the festival aims to develop Nigeria’s hospitality value chain through skills training, entrepreneurship, and partnerships that encourage investment in food, tourism, and agribusiness sectors.
