The Nigeria Food Summit 2025, held at the Landmark Centre in Lagos, served as a crucial catalyst for propelling Nigerian cuisine onto the global culinary stage. Themed “Making Nigeria a Global Food Destination,” the summit brought together a diverse assembly of stakeholders, including farmers, chefs, food tech innovators, policymakers, and industry leaders, fostering a collaborative environment to explore and unlock the vast potential of Nigeria’s food sector. The event emphasized the importance of showcasing the nation’s rich and diverse culinary heritage, which, despite its global significance, remains relatively underrepresented on the international scene. The summit aimed to address this gap by encouraging innovation, collaboration, and strategic initiatives to fully harness the economic and cultural power of Nigerian food.
The summit convener, Gbolabo Adebakin, widely known as Chef Gibbs, underscored the urgency of elevating Nigerian cuisine to global prominence. He highlighted the immense, yet untapped, potential of Nigeria’s culinary heritage, advocating for concerted efforts to innovate and collaborate within the food industry to unlock its full economic and cultural value. This call to action resonated throughout the summit, motivating participants to explore innovative strategies and partnerships to promote Nigerian food on the world stage. The summit provided a platform for industry players to exchange ideas, share best practices, and forge new alliances aimed at transforming Nigeria into a recognized global culinary destination.
A pivotal moment of the summit was the announcement of a $1 million fund by Kola Oyeneyin dedicated to supporting burgeoning food businesses in Nigeria. Oyeneyin’s investment underscored the critical role of funding in driving growth and innovation within the food sector. He emphasized that the Nigerian food industry, while brimming with potential, requires robust financial support structures to overcome existing challenges and achieve sustainable growth. This injection of capital promises to empower food entrepreneurs, enabling them to scale their businesses, enhance their product offerings, and contribute significantly to the overall development of the Nigerian food ecosystem.
The Pitch-a-thon, a highlight of the summit, offered a dynamic platform for emerging food businesses to showcase their innovative ideas and compete for vital business support. Elizabeth Akinwole of Tblizs Foods emerged victorious, securing a prize package that included one million naira in business support, a sponsored resort trip, comprehensive branding services, and valuable business advisory support. This competition not only recognized and rewarded entrepreneurial excellence but also provided a significant boost to the winning business, equipping it with the resources and guidance necessary to thrive in the competitive food market.
Beyond the Pitch-a-thon, the summit provided a wealth of learning and networking opportunities. Attendees engaged in insightful discussions, workshops, and culinary demonstrations, gaining invaluable knowledge and insights from industry experts. The event fostered a spirit of collaboration and knowledge sharing, creating an environment conducive to the development and implementation of innovative solutions to address the challenges facing the Nigerian food sector. The summit served as a powerful incubator for ideas, fostering a collaborative ecosystem where industry players could connect, learn, and inspire each other to contribute to the growth and advancement of Nigerian cuisine.
The Nigeria Food Summit 2025 marked a significant step towards establishing Nigeria as a global culinary powerhouse. By bringing together key stakeholders, fostering collaboration, and providing essential resources and support, the summit has laid the groundwork for sustained growth and innovation within the Nigerian food sector. The event’s focus on showcasing Nigerian cuisine on the world stage, coupled with the commitment to empower food entrepreneurs, positions Nigeria to capitalize on the immense potential of its culinary heritage. The summit serves as a testament to the growing recognition of the importance of food as a driver of economic development, cultural exchange, and national pride. The initiatives and discussions sparked at the summit are poised to have a lasting impact on the Nigerian food landscape, paving the way for a brighter future for the industry and its stakeholders.
