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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Federal Government has pledged massive investment in gastronomy to boost the country’s economy,. attract foreign patronage .
Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa, stated this at a press briefing ahead of the attempt of the Guinness World Record for the world’s longest dining table during the Mega Renewed Hope NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival scheduled for December in Abuja.
She described the festival as a significant platform for economic inclusion and youth development within the creative economy.
“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,”
She highlighted the growing role of Nigerian cuisine in cultural diplomacy and national branding, praising the creativity Nigerians exhibit in promoting local dishes internationally.
The week-long festival will include exhibitions, culinary masterclasses, cultural performances, food tastings, and investment dialogues — all designed to showcase Nigeria’s rising influence in global gastronomy.
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Also, the Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Aare (Dr.) Abisoye Fagade, said the country was fully set to attempt a Guinness World Record for the world’s longest dining table during the Mega Renewed Hope NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival scheduled for December in Abuja.
According to him, this year’s edition of the festival, themed “Oriki: Taste of Culture,” will spotlight Nigeria’s diverse culinary heritage while promoting opportunities within the nation’s hospitality and creative sectors, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Fagade announced that the festival will feature a 3.6-kilometre dining table expected to host between 2,000 and 3,000 participants. The record-breaking attempt will take place on the morning of the event, after which the table will be used as a communal dining space in the evening.
“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. There will be food, culture, music, and comedy in the evening. It will show that Abuja can also host major cultural events in December,”— Dr. Fagade
He added that the gastronomy festival is part of NIHOTOUR’s broader mission to strengthen Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality value chain through skills development, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment.
He added that the initiative will create opportunities, attract investors, and expand business prospects in food, hospitality, and agribusiness. He also noted that NIHOTOUR is partnering with private organisations to enhance technical capacity and professional standards within the sector.
