Lai Mohammed, Industry Leaders Back Standardisation at Nigeria Food Summit

Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, alongside other industry leaders, has called for the standardization of Nigerian gastronomy. They believe this move will strengthen the country's food systems, promote culinary tourism, and enhance the global competitiveness of Nigerian cuisine.

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Standardizing Nigerian gastronomy is not a cosmetic exercise – it is nation-building work.

The call was made during the Nigeria Food Summit 2026, held in Lagos with the theme 'Gastronomy in Nigeria: Journey to Standardization.' The two-day event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, government officials, chefs, restaurateurs, hospitality professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, regulators, development partners, and students involved in Nigeria's food value chain.

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Countries that succeed globally document, protect, regulate and intentionally promote their cuisine. Nigeria has every reason to stand alongside them.

Delivering a keynote address, Lai Mohammed, now Special Adviser to the UN Tourism Secretary-General and Chairman of the Eko Tourism Foundation, stressed that Nigerian cuisine should be viewed not just as cultural heritage but as a significant economic asset. He argued that standardizing gastronomy is crucial for nation-building, capable of driving tourism, exports, investment, and overall national development. Mohammed urged stakeholders to develop systems that protect quality, authenticity, and Nigeria's culinary heritage, stating, "Countries that succeed globally document, protect, regulate and intentionally promote their cuisine. Nigeria has every reason to stand alongside them."

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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.

Captain Gbolabo Gibbs Adebakin, the Convener of the summit, echoed this sentiment, urging that the discussions translate into practical action. He emphasized that standardization must move beyond an aspiration to become an industry-wide practice, requiring collaboration among government, businesses, educational institutions, and hospitality operators. The summit attracted nearly 1,000 participants, featured over 300 speakers, and included numerous sponsors and exhibitors, marking a significant step towards elevating Nigerian food on the global stage.

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The conversations we have had over these two days must now become commitments. Standardization cannot remain an aspiration – it must become our collective practice.