Nigeria took a significant leap toward establishing itself as a premier gastronomy tourism destination in Africa, as Chef Gbolabo Adebakin, also known as Chef Gibbs, represented the country at the Second Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa, held in Arusha, Tanzania.
Held on June 23 and hosted by UN Tourism in collaboration with the Tanzanian Government and the Basque Culinary Centre, the forum brought together leading stakeholders across Africa to explore how gastronomy can catalyse cultural identity, economic growth, and sustainable development.
As reported by Guardian, Chef Gibbs’ representation was borne out of his efforts in championing Nigeria’s culinary ambition, with five key objectives to showcase Nigeria’s vibrant gastronomy on an international platform; introduce the Nigeria Food Summit to African and global stakeholders; build networks across the food value chain; position Nigeria as a future hub for gastronomy tourism; and to promote sustainable development through culinary partnerships.
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As one of the key takeaways from the forum, Chef Gibbs underscored the pressing need for Nigeria to shift from a seasonal, event-focused tourism model to a dynamic, year-round, experience-driven strategy, one that fully leverages the country’s rich cultural and culinary heritage to attract sustained visitor engagement.
He proposed a number of strategic actions, including the “Experience Nigeria 365” Campaign, an annual strategy summit, a centralised digital platform, incentives for Investment, and hospitality capacity building.
Other highlights include inspiration from South Africa’s wine tourism and Tanzania’s food presentation, calls for Pan-African culinary exchanges and harmonised trade policies, and recognition of Nigeria’s absence in the top five African gastronomy destinations.
The Nigeria Food Summit, established to position the country as a global culinary destination by integrating its entire food value chain, drew significant attention at the forum. Notably, countries lacking robust private-sector hospitality ecosystems expressed strong interest in Nigeria’s model, which sparked curiosity and opened doors for potential collaborations.
Soft commitments include chef participation at Rwanda’s Culinary Innovations Village; tourism and ingredient exchanges with Namibia, Cameroon, Morocco, and South Africa; and trials of Nigerian ingredients in continental kitchens.
The Forum reaffirmed the summit’s role as a national convening body for food-tourism advocacy. Moving forward, the Nigeria Food Summit will promote Pan-African chef exchanges and food events, champion Indigenous Nigerian ingredients, and advocate for national hospitality standards, among other things.
Reports suggest that Nigeria’s presence at the forum is a significant step in its culinary evolution. According to the organisers, the insights gained will shape the Nigeria Food Summit’s ongoing work and inform national tourism strategies. They stress that with coordinated effort and renewed momentum, Nigeria is poised to become a leading gastronomic destination on the African continent.
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Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQs)
What was the main purpose of the Second Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa?
The forum, hosted by UN Tourism in Arusha, Tanzania, aimed to bring together stakeholders from across Africa to explore how gastronomy can drive cultural identity, stimulate economic growth, and promote sustainable development on the continent.
Who represented Nigeria at the forum?
Nigeria was represented by Chef Gbolabo Adebakin, popularly known as Chef Gibbs. He is a key figure championing Nigeria’s culinary leadership ambition.
What is the “Nigeria Food Summit”?
The Nigeria Food Summit initiative was founded to position Nigeria as a global food destination by aggregating its entire food value chain, from producers to chefs. It serves as a national platform for food-tourism advocacy and sparked significant interest at the forum for its private-sector-led model.
What was a key recommendation for Nigeria’s tourism strategy from the event?
Chef Gibbs emphasised the urgent need for Nigeria to shift from a tourism model that relies on seasonal events to a year-round, “experience-based” tourism strategy. He proposed the “Experience Nigeria 365” campaign as a core part of this new approach.
What were some concrete outcomes for Nigeria from participating in the forum?
Nigeria secured several soft commitments, including:
- Invitations for Nigerian chefs to participate in Rwanda’s Culinary Innovations Village.
- Agreements for tourism and ingredient exchanges with Namibia, Cameroon, Morocco, and South Africa.
- Pledges to trial Nigerian ingredients in professional kitchens across the continent.
What is Nigeria’s overall goal in the gastronomy sector?
The ultimate goal is to position Nigeria as a leading, top-tier gastronomic destination on the African continent, recognised for its vibrant cuisine, unique ingredients, and dynamic food experiences.