Food & Recipes Street food Cafés and Coffee Events Shaping Nigeria’s Coffee Scene in 2025 Philip SifonPublished: September 4, 2025 Last Updated on September 6, 20250913 views In 2025, Nigeria’s café culture has taken on a new identity, emerging as both a social and cultural force. Coffee is a beverage not synonymous with most Nigerians. Once viewed simply as places for a quick coffee fix, cafés in Lagos, Abuja, and Jos are now shaping conversations, lifestyles, and trends. The evolution has been remarkable. From the rise of single-origin coffee and skilled barista competitions to the landmark Nigeria International Coffee Festival, the café scene is establishing itself as a cornerstone of modern urban life. What was once niche has now become mainstream. This transformation was on full display in Jos, Plateau State, when the city hosted Nigeria’s maiden International Coffee Festival from August 28 to 30, 2025. Designed to revive and revolutionise the nation’s coffee industry, the festival attracted participants from more than 30 countries, showcasing global coffee cultures while sparking critical local conversations around production, processing, and consumption. Organised under the leadership of Blessing Nanman, the event is envisioned as a legacy project, rotating across Nigeria’s 36 states, to unlock opportunities across the coffee value chain, empower young people, and drive long-term economic growth. Highlights will include barista competitions, tastings, workshops, cultural exhibitions, and training for farmers, entrepreneurs, and aspiring coffee professionals. This article examines the cafés at the forefront of this transformation, the personalities driving the movement, and the events, such as the Jos Coffee Festival, that are redefining coffee as more than a beverage, but a cultural experience in Nigeria. The Coffee Map: Where Nigerian Cafés Will Be Thriving in 2025 In 2025, the energy levels vary significantly across different Nigerian cafés. Each city is shaping the culture in its own way. Here’s how the scene looks in the key spots driving the movement: 1. Lagos Nigeria is the busiest hub for cafés, with speciality roasteries leading the way. Many shops highlight Mambilla single-origin beans in espresso pours and serve flat whites in spaces designed to match global coffeehouse aesthetics. Lagos remains the entry point for anyone curious about where coffee culture in Nigeria is heading. 2. Abuja The café scene here is smaller but catching up fast. Third-wave coffee spots are introducing locals to tasting sessions and curated menus that push beyond instant coffee. Abuja shows how Nigerian cafés in 2025 are expanding outside Lagos. 3. Jos and Mambilla Plateau Known for highland-grown beans, this region is gaining national attention with the August 28–30, 2025, Nigeria International Coffee Festival, the first of its kind. The event is not just about tastings but about giving local growers and café entrepreneurs a platform to connect with the broader coffee culture in Nigeria. Speciality Coffee and Nigerian Cafés 2025 Speciality coffee isn’t just about a caffeine fix. It refers to high-quality beans, often single-origin, roasted and brewed to bring out distinct flavours. In Nigeria, this shift is reshaping how cafés operate in 2025. Lagos roasteries are putting Mambilla beans at the centre of their menus with carefully crafted espressos and flat whites. Abuja’s emerging scene leans into tastings and latte-art throwdowns, making coffee an experience. In Jos and the Mambilla Plateau, local cafés are gaining visibility through festival-driven demand for highland-grown beans. What ties all these cities together is a growing focus on quality, community, and Nigerian coffee culture, the hallmarks of speciality coffee. Cafés to Know in Nigerian Cafés 2025 Nigerian cafés in 2025 are not all the same. A few stand out for their brews, sourcing, and community feel. Here’s where to look if you want to see the cafés shaping the country’s coffee culture and driving the growth of speciality coffee in Nigeria. Mai Shayi Coffee-Lagos: Often features Mambilla beans in both filter and espresso formats, with sweet-fruited notes and a cosy ambience. Happy Coffee Africa – Various Cities: A grassroots brand training farmers and baristas to elevate the domestic market, with occasional pop-ups around Mambilla beans. Other Emerging Cafés: Other emerging cafés and co-working hybrids in Abuja and Lagos are appearing, offering local-roast tasting flights and a modern coffee experience ALSO READ: Top 15 Coffee Shops and Cafés in Nigeria: A Guide to the Best Brews in the Country Lagos Street Food: Where Nightlife, Culture, and Flavour Collide How Nigerian Street Food Is Winning Over Global Foodies Baristas & Community Builders Driving Nigerian Cafés 2025 In 2025, baristas are becoming central to Nigerian cafés, moving beyond serving drinks to shaping the customer experience. Many are trained in latte art, brewing techniques, and coffee storytelling, making cafés more engaging for visitors. At the same time, community builders, from roasteries to café founders, are creating spaces that connect people through tastings, workshops, and cultural events. Happy Coffee is a strong example, promoting Nigerian-grown coffee through roasting and outreach. The upcoming Coffee Festival will also feature barista competitions and mentorship programs, helping to build skills and raise standards nationwide. Read More Ethiopia’s Tourism Sector Surges as Global Demand for Its Coffee & Cuisine Grows Behind the Scenes: The Rise of Urban Coffee Culture in Nigeria Top 15 Coffee Shops and Cafés in Nigeria: A Guide to the Best Brews in the Country Events Defining Nigerian Cafés 2025 Plateau State will host Nigeria’s first International Coffee Festival in 2025, a significant event for Nigerian cafés, bringing together local and international coffee experts. The festival features tastings, barista competitions, workshops, and cultural exhibitions, designed to empower youth, support café entrepreneurship, and promote Nigerian coffee culture. The organisers also plan to use the festival to launch 821 new coffee shops and mobile carts across the country, potentially creating 10,000 jobs over the next three years. Traditional Plateau foods will be paired with locally brewed coffee, celebrating local beans, fostering community pride, and encouraging sustainable coffee culture in Nigeria. How to Experience Nigerian Cafés 2025 Like A Local To truly experience Nigerian Cafés 2025 like a local, start with a single-origin pour-over brewed from Mambilla beans, the pride of Nigeria’s coffee farms. Many cafés now host cuppings and barista demos, especially during the Coffee Festival week, making it easy for visitors to connect with Nigeria’s sustainable coffee culture. Early mornings are the best time to stop by, when the brews are freshest and the atmosphere is calm and serene. Bringing along a reusable cup has also become part of the experience, as more cafés push eco-friendly practices that reflect the rise of sustainable coffee culture in Nigeria. Quick Shortlist: Nigerian Cafés 2025 If you’re planning to experience Nigerian cafés in 2025, here are some of the spots that stand out. These coffee shops showcase local beans, cultural trends, and the burgeoning café movement that is shaping Nigeria’s coffee culture. Happy Coffee Lagos Happy Coffee promotes the use of Nigerian-grown beans and supports local consumption. Through community outreach and tasting sessions, it connects people while celebrating Nigerian coffee traditions. My Coffee Lagos My Coffee Lagos is recognised for showcasing Nigerian coffee through innovative menus and collaborations with local roasters. Among Nigerian cafés in 2025, it’s a favourite for anyone curious about experimenting with flavours while staying true to homegrown beans. Art Café- Victoria Island, Lagos A go-to spot for strong coffee paired with an in-house art gallery, making it popular with locals and visitors. Café Neo- Lagos One of Nigeria’s first speciality chains, serving African beans in spaces designed for both work and social meetups. Mai Shayi Coffee- Victoria Island, Lagos Highlights Nigerian-grown beans and offers premium blends in a minimalist, modern setting. Top Beans-Victoria Island, Lagos Specialises in pour-overs, cold brews, and espresso, with a clean design that appeals to younger coffee drinkers. Conclusion Nigerian cafés in 2025 are not just for coffee breaks. They’re becoming hubs of culture, learning, and local pride. With single-origin Nigerian beans gaining attention and the first International Coffee Festival taking off, the country’s modern coffee story is only starting. Showcase Nigeria Through Your Lens – Join Our Open Call for Creators Are you a photographer, videographer, or content creator passionate about capturing Nigeria’s beauty, from fashion runways and cultural festivals to tourist landmarks and local events? Our Open Call for Content Creators in Nigeria is your opportunity to get featured, collaborate, and bring authentic Nigerian stories to life. Whether you’re into travel, lifestyle, or visual storytelling, we want to see Nigeria through your eyes. Explore Nigeria’s street food culture—savoury suya, sizzling frytilers, jollof, puff-puff, and more—in a celebration of flavours, traditions, and culinary creativity that moves communities. Frequently Asked Questions 1. What Makes Nigerian Cafés in 2025 Different From Older Cafés? Nigerian cafés in 2025 focus on speciality coffee, community engagement, and cultural experiences. They highlight local beans, offer barista training, and host events that celebrate Nigerian coffee culture. 2. Where Can I Find the Best Speciality Coffee in Nigeria? Top spots include Lagos cafés like Art Café, Café Neo, Mai Shayi Coffee, and Top Beans. These cafés emphasise single-origin Nigerian beans and provide modern, community-friendly spaces. 3. Are there Coffee Events I Can Attend in Nigeria? Yes, the Nigeria International Coffee Festival in Jos (August 28–30, 2025) is the country’s first official coffee festival. It features tastings, barista competitions, workshops, and cultural exhibitions. Many cafés also host cuppings and tasting sessions throughout the year. 4. How Can I Experience Nigerian Cafés Like A Local? Start with single-origin pour-overs, visit during tasting events, arrive in the morning for fresh brews, and opt for reusable cups. Participating in café events or barista demos is an excellent way to connect with Nigeria’s sustainable coffee culture.