Akwa Ibom Food Festival 2025 will feature 156 traditional dishes, promoting tourism, culture, and local farming across the state

Akwa Ibom Food Festival will feature more than 156 traditional dishes when it opens in Uyo from November 18 to 22, 2025, in what organisers describe as the biggest celebration of indigenous cuisine in Nigeria.

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The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Anieti Udofia, said during a press briefing that the festival aligns with Governor Umo Eno’s Arise Agenda for tourism development and cultural revival.

According to him, the Akwa Ibom Food Festival will not only celebrate local flavours but also serve as a powerful driver of tourism and agricultural growth.

“The food festival will expose Akwa Ibom’s rich cuisines to tourists and, in turn, motivate farmers to grow our local crops,” Udofia said.

Some of the dishes expected to feature include Afang, Ekpang Nkukwo, Edikang Ikong, Afia Efere, Otor Iwa, Ukana, Oto Mboro, and Ikpong, among many others, showcasing the depth of the state’s culinary diversity.

The Coordinator and Convener of the event, Mr. Ukpong Umoh, speaking under the brand name De-Noahua Enterprise, said the 2025 edition carries the theme “Optimizing Our Cuisines, Tourism, Taste and Economy.”

Umoh emphasised that the festival would reposition the state’s food and agro-allied industry by bridging the gap between farmers, food processors, and local chefs.

He identified the neglect of indigenous cuisines and weak collaboration within the food value chain as major challenges facing the sector.

“As a result of these issues, players in the food industry have turned to promoting foreign cuisines at the expense of our local opportunities,” Umoh said.

He added that this year’s edition aims to host about five million participants, including local government representatives, corporate stakeholders, and community groups.

“The scope of this edition is to host five million people. All corporate stakeholders are expected to mobilise their ideas, employees, and partners, while local communities bring their foods and cultures to the event,” he said.

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The Akwa Ibom Food Festival is expected to become a major cultural attraction, blending tourism, creativity, and gastronomy to strengthen the state’s economy and global identity.