The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (Nihotour) has announced that its highly anticipated Gastronomy Oriki Royal Festival, earlier scheduled for December 6, will be shifted to a new date following consultations with key local and international partners.
The festival, described as an “Olympic gastronomy event,” aims to break a Guinness World Record by hosting the world’s longest table used for dinning, an elaborate display of royal ambience and diverse culinary offerings from Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Director General of NIHOTOUR, Aare Abisoye Fagade, said the festival is designed to be an iconic showcase of Nigeria’s heritage, wellness culture, and culinary sophistication. According to him, the event cannot be rushed, as every detail must meet global standards.
“This is not just an ordinary gastronomy event; it is a deliberate and strategic Nigerian culinary brand statement,” Fagade said. “Every element—from the well-appointed royal-themed table to the array of dishes and appetisers, and from the chefs to the waiters in colourful Nigerian attire—must align with Guinness World Record regulations. It is a huge task, and we want everything in perfect order before inviting Nigerians and the world to the table.”
The Director General added that the festival would also deepen research into the health benefits of Nigerian cuisine, noting that food should not only excite the taste buds but also promote wellness and happiness.
NIHITOUR’s Director of Planning, Mr Victor Salako, who also serves as the Chairman of the Planning Committee for the event, also confirmed that the new date—likely in the first quarter of the new year—will be announced once alignments with all partner expectations are completed. He noted that Guinness World Records has already granted preliminary approval for the planned dining experience.
“Like the Director General has emphasised, our approach is intentional, sensitive, and deeply committed to offering the world a unique dining experience,” Salako said. “We envision Nigerians and international visitors seated across an exceptionally long table used as a dining table, sharing ideas and experiences about our food and hospitality. Achieving this requires enormous planning and precision, and we are prepared to fix a new date as soon as Guinness World Records, our respected umpires, align with our new date propositions.