The Nigeria Food Summit 2025 brought together top industry leaders, culinary innovators, and policymakers at the Landmark Centre, Lagos, under the theme “Making Nigeria a Global Food Destination.” This landmark event gathered renowned chefs, food scientists, entrepreneurs, and key stakeholders dedicated to shaping the future of Nigeria’s food industry.
The summit featured prominent personalities, including Anjola Awosika, Tolani Tayo-Osikoya (Diary of a Kitchen Lover), Hilda Baci, Ayo Bankole, and The Kitchen Amuse, who provided valuable insights into food business sustainability and cultural representation.
Insightful Panel Discussions
Attendees engaged in four dynamic panel sessions addressing critical industry topics:
- “The Past, Present, and Future of the Nigerian Food Industry” – Moderated by Bukola Benson, with panelists Iquo Ukoh, Michael Williams, Paul Kavanagh, and Dr. Eric.
- “Launching, Sustaining, and Scaling a Food Business in Nigeria” – Led by Bukkie Akinmade, featuring Anjola Awosika, Eunice Adeyemi, Abiola Adelana, and Gbenga Sosan.
- “A Fully Automated Food Industry: The Future is Tech” – Moderated by Uzo Orimalade, with experts Vera Ebhohon, Ted Oladele, Toheeb Bakare, Luther Lawoyin, Tanaz Bahnam, Chikodi Ukaiwe, and Aghuienoh Tarek.
- “Running a Business in Nigeria: Beyond the Clout” – Featuring Victory Jumbo, Hilda Baci, Modupe Emmanuel, Olapeju Umar, and Malaika, moderated by Uju Ameshi.
- “Chef’s Table” – With Chef Nick (Vice President of APCN), Chef Amaka (President of CAPA), and Chef Ik from Ghana.
Masterclasses and Live Sessions
Renowned chefs Anjola Awosika, Chef Miyonsea, Chef Tucker, Chef TYB, Omoye Cooks, and others hosted masterclasses on topics such as the history of Nigerian food, molecular gastronomy, plating techniques, food styling, content creation, and farm-to-table culinary arts. A live podcast session, “One Bite at a Time,” hosted by Chef Vee and Chef Wu, added an interactive touch to the event.
Positioning Nigeria as a Global Food Hub
Summit convener Gbolabo Adebakin (Chef Gibbs) emphasized the importance of elevating Nigerian cuisine on the global stage, stating:
“Nigeria’s culinary heritage is among the richest in the world, yet it remains underrepresented globally. This summit is a call to action for food entrepreneurs, chefs, and policymakers to take ownership of our industry’s growth. We must innovate, collaborate, and harness our local flavors and agricultural resources to make Nigeria a true food destination.”
$1 Million Fund for Food Entrepreneurs
A major highlight was the keynote speech by Kola Oyeneyin, announcing a $1 million investment fund to support food businesses and drive industry growth. He stated:
“The success of any industry is tied to access to capital. The Nigerian food industry is brimming with potential, but without the right funding structures, its growth could stall. This fund is designed to empower food entrepreneurs to scale, innovate, and compete globally.”
This initiative was celebrated as a transformative step toward boosting investment and expansion in the sector.
Pitch-a-thon Competition
The Pitch-a-thon contest saw three food businesses present innovative ideas in an elevator pitch competition. Elizabeth Toluwalope Akinwole of Tblizs Foods emerged as the winner, receiving ₦1 million worth of business support from County Support Consulting, a fully sponsored resort trip from Torrista, free branding services from Snappcode Productions, and business advisory support from a food business consultant.
Sponsors and Culinary Showcases
The summit was made possible by esteemed partners, including Sterling Bank, Nestlé Pure Life, Glovo, Maggi, Isivini, Opay, AddMe, Power Oil, My Food Angels, OmniRetail, Reisty, FMN, Pasabahce, Mira, Woodscope, Pricepally, AO2Law, Happy Coffee, UAC, Awari, Lost in the City, Dinesurf, T.Kup, La Savannah, and Josien.
Food sponsors such as Eric Kayser, Celebrazioni, Loaves and Nuts, Home of Tasty Meals, Delinas, Nitascents Kitchen, Asher4920, Proveg, Chumpes Pot, Peppersoup Shop, and Happy Coffee offered attendees a diverse and delightful culinary experience, showcasing Nigeria’s rich food culture.
A Defining Moment for Nigeria’s Food Industry
The Nigeria Food Summit 2025 solidified its role as a pivotal platform for fostering innovation, collaboration, and policy direction in Nigeria’s food ecosystem. By bringing together key stakeholders and visionaries, the summit set a new standard for advancing Nigeria’s culinary arts, food business, and international positioning in the global food industry.
