Jollof Pageant deepens African unity

Organisers of the Firewood Jollof Pageant 2025 have pushed a message of cultural unity and collaboration throughout Africa following its lately held occasion, which drew 1000’s of meals lovers, creatives and vacationers to Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The occasion, themed ‘Unifying African Jollof’, introduced collectively cooks from Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Nigeria, providing friends an immersive culinary tour of West Africa. Organisers mentioned the 2025 version shifted consideration from rivalry to cultural concord, with Jollof rice used because the pageant’s image of shared identification.

Organisers famous in an announcement that the pageant, launched in 2024, has grown from an area meals showcase into a serious cultural motion. It now attracts cooks, artisans, celebrities and guests from throughout Africa and past.

Founder and Chief Government Officer of Firewood Jollof Nigeria, Chizoma Chukwueke, said that the platform had change into a car for tourism and small enterprise progress.

She mentioned, “Firewood Jollof is greater than a meals pageant. It’s a platform that drives native enterprise and tourism. Final yr, we supported small distributors and attracted about 10,000 guests. This yr, we have now surpassed that expectation from the gang we see.”

The Head of Regional Department Operations at Firewood Jollof, Feyisayo Akeotu, additionally famous that the pageant celebrated collaboration, not competitors.

She said, “We’re showcasing 4 completely different Jollofs, all ready by their varied nation cooks. Moderately than competing, we’re collaborating as Africans, therefore the theme Unifying African Jollof. This yr, we have now gone past Jollof to accommodate style, expertise, music, and others.”The 12-hour occasion, held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., featured meals exhibitions, stay music, style exhibits, artwork shows and conventional African video games.

Musicians carried out all through the day, preserving the gang energised till closing time.The pageant additionally loved sturdy company backing. Access Bank returned as lead sponsor, whereas MTN, Nestlé and Devon King’s Oil supported the occasion. Assistant Model Supervisor for Devon King’s, Voke Emeje, mentioned the corporate aligned with the pageant’s message of unity.

He mentioned, “Devon King’s is a style that binds. We transcend nourishment to carry individuals collectively by scrumptious dishes, and this pageant displays that spirit.”Celebrities and meals influencers added color to the celebration, together with Sisi Yemi, Enioluwa Adeoluwa, Shina Peters, Tomilke, Chef Tolu and Diary of a Kitchen Lover, who mingled with followers and joined tasting classes.With file numbers, wider continental participation and overwhelmingly optimistic evaluations, organisers mentioned the 2025 version had set a brand new benchmark. They added that preparations have been already underway for an expanded 2026 pageant.