… as Nigeria Food Summit 2026 ended
Lai Mohammed, former Information Minister and industry stakeholders have called for the standardization of Nigeria’s gastronomy sector to boost food tourism, exports, and global competitiveness.
Speaking at the Nigeria Food Summit 2026 in Lagos, themed ‘Gastronomy in Nigeria: Journey to Standardization,’ experts reinforced the urgent need for collaboration, innovation, quality assurance, policy alignment and industry-wide standards that will strengthen Nigeria’s food systems, enhance food safety, promote culinary tourism and position Nigerian gastronomy as a globally competitive industry.
In his keynote address, Mohammed, who is currently the special adviser to the Secretary-General of UN Tourism, and chairman of the Board of Trustees and Governing Council of the Eko Tourism Foundation, urged stakeholders to view Nigerian cuisine not simply as cultural heritage, but as an economic asset capable of driving tourism, exports, investment and national development.
“Standardizing Nigerian gastronomy is not a cosmetic exercise – it is nation-building work. Countries that succeed globally document, protect, regulate and intentionally promote their cuisine,” he said.
“Nigeria has every reason to stand alongside them. By building systems that protect quality, authenticity and our culinary heritage, we can transform Nigerian food into a powerful instrument of economic growth, cultural diplomacy and global competitiveness,” he added.
Delivering his welcome address, Captain Gbolabo Gibbs, Chef and Convener of the Nigeria Food Summit, emphasized that the conversations initiated during the summit must now translate into measurable action.
“The conversations we have had over these two days must now become commitments. Standardization cannot remain an aspiration – it must become our collective practice,” Gibbs said.
“Building a globally respected Nigerian gastronomy industry requires collaboration across government, business, education, hospitality and every stakeholder in the food value chain,” he noted, saying that the summit is the beginning.
Across the two-day program, the summit served nearly 1,000 individuals and recorded close to 800 ticket sales. The gathering included over 300 program participants – among them speakers, moderators and panelists – as well as approximately 200 VIP guests, about 30 sponsors and strategic partners, and nearly 20 exhibitors representing food, agriculture, hospitality, technology, and related sectors.
Delegates participated in keynote presentations, fireside conversations, panel discussions, masterclasses, live cooking competitions, culinary demonstrations, exhibitions, networking sessions, business engagements, and the Nigeria Food Summit Awards.
Together, these sessions explored practical pathways for strengthening every segment of Nigeria’s food value chain while encouraging greater collaboration between government, industry, academia, and the private sector.
Beyond thought leadership, the summit created meaningful opportunities for collaboration through strategic networking, business matchmaking, stakeholder engagement, cross-sector dialogue and partnerships designed to strengthen Nigeria’s rapidly evolving food ecosystem.
A vibrant exhibition showcased innovative food brands, culinary businesses, agricultural enterprises, technology-driven solutions and hospitality service providers, connecting exhibitors directly with consumers, investors, policymakers and strategic partners while highlighting the diversity and commercial potential of Nigeria’s food economy.
The success of Nigeria Food Summit 2026 was made possible through the support of an outstanding coalition of sponsors and strategic partners whose continued investment is helping to shape the future of Nigeria’s gastronomy sector.
Key supporters included Terroso Group, Terroso Agriculture,Sterling Bank, Nestlé, PricePally, Aurum Foundation, African Concierge Network, Awari and Lost in Lagos, Curate at Landmark, The Owambe Company, Mega Horeca, Blanche Aigle Communications, Cuisine Noir and other valued organisations committed to advancing Nigeria’s food industry.
The summit had exceptional lineup of speakers, panelists, moderators, facilitators and special guests representing government, industry, academia, hospitality, tourism, agriculture and culinary innovation.
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