By Amina Amin Rufai
Nigerian food is rich, flavourful, and rooted in centuries of culture. From amala with ewedu to native soups like banga, ogbonor, kuka (baobab) to okra our traditional meals are as healthy as they are nourishing. But lately, the spotlight has shifted. Social media influencers and modern food trends are putting dishes like spaghetti carbonara, lasagna, and fancy stir-fries in the limelight. Many Nigerian households are now swapping pounded yam for pasta and jollof rice for pizza, leaving traditional foods to gather dust in recipe books. Why is this happening, and what are it’s implications for our health?Food and travel guides
Why foreign foods are taking over: Social media influencers are driving a cultural shift in our eating habits. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok reward visually appealing meals, and let’s face it—spaghetti twirled on a fork or cheesy baked pasta looks “cooler” than a bowl of ogbonor soup. Influencers, often targeting a younger, trendier audience, favour dishes that align with global food trends, overlooking traditional Nigerian meals.
Convenience Over Tradition: Many modern dishes are quicker to make than traditional Nigerian meals, which often require slow cooking and careful preparation. Dishes like pasta or fried rice are easy, fast, and less labour-intensive compared to pounding yam or cooking complex soups.
Western Influence: Western culture has seeped into many aspects of Nigerian life, including our kitchens. The rise of fast food chains and the globalization of recipes have normalized dishes like burgers, fries, and pasta as everyday meals, pushing local dishes to the back burner.
Perception of Elegance: Many people see modern or Western dishes as “classier” than traditional Nigerian food. Ordering spaghetti bolognese in a fancy restaurant feels more sophisticated than eating eba and egusi, even if the latter is more delicious and nutritious.
The Health Risks of Abandoning Traditional FoodsFood and travel guides
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), dietary shifts driven by globalisation and convenience often lead to increased consumption of processed foods, refined sugars, and unhealthy fats. Here’s why this matters:
Loss of Nutrients: Traditional Nigerian foods are often packed with natural ingredients rich in nutrients. Palm oil, leafy greens, and fermented products like locust beans provide essential vitamins, antioxidants, and probiotics. In contrast, modern dishes often use processed ingredients with fewer nutrients and higher calorie counts.
Increased Risk of Chronic Diseases: Many modern foods are high in sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats, contributing to a rise in hypertension, diabetes, and obesity in Nigeria. The WHO warns that diets dominated by processed and fast foods can significantly increase these risks.
Digestive Health Concerns Traditional Nigerian foods like beans, yam, and okra are high in fiber, which aids digestion. Modern dishes like pasta or white bread are low in fiber, leading to digestive issues like constipation over time .
How We Can Bring Back Traditional Nigerian Foods
Celebrate Our Heritage: Online Influencers who focus on Nigerian cuisine need more visibility. By showcasing the beauty and versatility of local dishes, they can make amala and efo riro trend just as much as spaghetti carbonara.
Make Traditional Food Convenient: Part of the appeal of modern foods is their simplicity. We can adapt traditional recipes to be quicker and easier without losing their authenticity. For example, pre-packaged yam flour (elubo) makes amala more accessible than pounding yam.
Teach the Younger Generation: Schools and households can teach kids the cultural and nutritional value of Nigerian foods. Cooking classes focused on traditional recipes could inspire a new generation of chefs who cherish local cuisine.
Support Local Farmers By buying local ingredients like vegetables, yams, and spices, we not only support our economy but also encourage the use of fresh, nutritious produce
In conclusion, food trends may come and go, but the importance of preserving our traditional Nigerian cuisine cannot be overstated. Our meals are more than just sustenance they are history, culture, and health served on a plate. While spaghetti and pizza are fun treats, they should never replace the ogbonor and amala that have nourished generations. Let’s keep our heritage alive, one pot of jollof rice at a time. After all, nothing beats the taste of home.
Amina Amin Rufai is a Public Policy Analyst.
