The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, took center stage at the 2025 Lagos Food Festival on Sunday, where he cooked seafood rice with stir-fried spinach, delighting attendees with a personal touch at the event.
Organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, the festival was held at the Muri Okunola Park on Victoria Island.
Taste Beyond Borders: A Culinary Journey
This year’s festival, themed “Taste Beyond Borders,” showcased a rich diversity of food from across Lagos and beyond, giving residents an opportunity to experience global flavours right in the heart of the city. The vibrant event, which featured local music alongside a variety of dishes, was a celebration of the city’s multicultural culinary heritage.
Governor Sanwo-Olu Highlights Empowerment of Entrepreneurs
In his address, Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized the festival’s role in fostering both cultural exchange and entrepreneurial growth. Over the past six years, he noted, the Lagos State Government has worked diligently through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems to empower local entrepreneurs, particularly within the food industry.
“This festival is about much more than food—it’s about community,” Sanwo-Olu remarked. “Through initiatives like this, we’ve given many innovators in the food business opportunities to grow and thrive.”
The Governor further expressed his enthusiasm for the role food plays in telling the story of Lagos, noting that the festival is an ideal platform to showcase the city’s rich culinary tradition while encouraging families to come together and explore different cultures through food.
Celebrating Lagosian Talent Across Industries
Sanwo-Olu’s day also included a visit to an art exhibition featuring the works of 40 local artists. The Governor celebrated the event as another example of Lagos’ creative spirit, stating that the state remains committed to nurturing all forms of local talent.
“We must continue to lift people up across all professions to keep Lagos a safe, thriving, and welcoming city for everyone,” Sanwo-Olu added.
Ms. Abisola Olusanya: Celebrating Diversity Through Food
Lagos State’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, reinforced the importance of the festival as a celebration of Lagos’ multiculturalism. “Lagos is a melting pot of cultures, and food is the perfect way to unite us. The Lagos Food Festival is a key moment for us to celebrate our culinary traditions and give exposure to those shaping the city’s food scene,” Olusanya explained.
She highlighted the festival’s significant role in providing a platform for emerging food stars and encouraging collaboration among Lagos’ food industry actors. “The festival allows us to honor everyone involved in the food value chain, and many stars have been made right here through interactions with Governor Sanwo-Olu.”
A Festival of Unity, Innovation, and Flavour
The Lagos Food Festival has firmly established itself as an annual highlight, blending food, culture, and entertainment to provide a platform for both local and international culinary artists.
Through events like these, Lagos continues to nurture a thriving entrepreneurial spirit, celebrate diversity, and promote unity within its dynamic food ecosystem.
Igbega Eko… Ajumose gbogbo wa ni o