By Abubakar Yunusa
The Federal Government has announced plans to attempt a Guinness World Record for the longest dining table as part of the Mega Renewed Hope NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival scheduled for December 6, 2025, in Abuja.
The event, themed “Oriki: Taste of Culture,” is being organised by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the Director-General of NIHOTOUR, Aare (Dr.) Abisoye Fagade, said the record-breaking attempt would feature a 3.6-kilometre dining table expected to seat between 2,000 and 3,000 participants.
He disclosed that the attempt would take place in the morning and later serve as a communal dining space for guests.
“There will be food, culture, music, and comedy in the evening. It will show that Abuja can also host major cultural events in December,” Fagade said.
Fagade disclosed that NIHOTOUR’s partnership with NOVAROSTA will help expand Nigeria’s capacity for culinary innovation and skill development.
According to him, the festival is part of NIHOTOUR’s broader drive to empower youth, create jobs, and strengthen Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism value chains through culinary innovation and enterprise.
He added that the institute’s partnership with Novarosta would enhance skills development and global exposure for Nigerian culinary professionals.
The week-long festival will feature masterclasses, exhibitions, food tastings, investment dialogues, cultural showcases, and the unveiling of the PBAT National Food Signature.
Fagade extended an invitation to sponsors and investors to partner with NIHOTOUR in delivering what he called a “transformative national event” that celebrates Nigeria’s hospitality, culture, and economic potential.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to unveil the festival in Abuja.
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, described the festival as a strategic platform for economic inclusion and youth engagement.
“When we talk about economic growth and youth development, gastronomy plays a role just like film, music, and fashion,” she said.
Musawa praised the global recognition of Nigerian cuisine, noting that local chefs and food entrepreneurs were boosting the country’s cultural influence worldwide.
