From jollof to yam pounded fresh, Nigerian food is getting a global makeover—and Chef Gibbs wants the world to taste it right.
Nigerian chef Gbolabo Adebakin is calling for a deliberate global rebrand of Nigerian cuisine, saying it’s time the world sees local dishes as nutritious, diverse, and world-class—not misunderstood or misrepresented.
Speaking in Lagos, the chef and convener of the Nigeria Food Summit said food is one of the most powerful cultural tools, describing it as “the oldest form of tourism.”
But he warned that Nigerian cuisine often suffers from poor global representation and misconceptions, with some people wrongly describing it as overly heavy or fatty.
Adebakin stressed the need for stronger culinary education and cultural storytelling, adding that chefs must also teach people how Nigerian food is properly prepared, served, and enjoyed—especially as social media food trends continue to spread misinformation.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts through immersive food tourism experiences, where international guests not only taste Nigerian meals but also take part in traditional cooking methods like yam pounding.
According to him, these hands-on experiences consistently surprise foreigners and change their perception of Nigerian cuisine.
Bottom line: Chef Gibbs says Nigeria’s food is already powerful—it just needs the world to experience it the right way.
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