The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has launched Oríkì, a global cultural and culinary showcase aimed at promoting Nigeria’s creative excellence and positioning the country as a destination for cultural tourism and gastronomy investment.
The unveiling ceremony, held at Eagle’s Square in Abuja, drew government officials, investors, chefs, cultural ambassadors, and creative entrepreneurs from across Africa and the diaspora.
The event, themed “When Culture Meets Cuisine, the World Connects,” celebrated the harmony of heritage, identity, and innovation through food, music, and live performances.Rooted in the African art of praise poetry, Oríkì takes inspiration from Yoruba traditions and similar expressions across Nigeria’s diverse cultures — including Aha Otuto (Igbo), Kirari (Hausa), and Eré (Itsekiri).
Guests explored regional food pavilions and fusion dishes showcasing Nigeria’s unity through flavor.
Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, commended NIHOTOUR for using culinary art as a tool for national cohesion and cultural diplomacy.
She said food and culture are powerful storytellers capable of connecting Nigeria with the world while advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
NIHOTOUR’s Director-General, Dr. Abisoye Fagade, described Oríkì as a bridge between heritage and opportunity, designed to transform Nigeria’s cultural assets into engines of investment, employment, and global recognition.
He added that the initiative would spotlight Nigerian cuisine and hospitality as global exports while fostering pride and prosperity through creative enterprise.
The event also marked the launch of NIHOTOUR’s Cultural Gastronomy Investment Series, a platform created to attract investors and international partners to Nigeria’s hospitality value chain.
The Oríkì Experience forms part of NIHOTOUR’s Mission 100 Vision — a drive to build Africa’s most dynamic tourism workforce and elevate Nigeria’s heritage as a force for economic transformation and global influence.
Reporting by Chioma Ezike