ABUJA – IN a bold celebration of culture, cuisine, and community, the Federal Government is preparing to host what could become a historic moment in global gastronomy—a 3.6-kilometre-long dining table in Abuja, designed to break the Guinness World Record for the longest communal feast.

The announcement was made at a joint press conference on Thursday by Aare (Dr.) Abisoye Fagade, Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), and Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa. The record attempt will headline the Mega Renewed Hope NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival, scheduled for December in Nigeria’s capital.

This year’s festival, themed “Oriki: Taste of Culture,” aims to spotlight Nigeria’s rich culinary traditions while driving growth in the hospitality and creative sectors. It aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes cultural pride and economic opportunity.

Dr. Fagade revealed that the dining table will host between 2,000 and 3,000 guests. “We plan to break the record in the morning of December 6 and use the same table for a dining event later in the day. There will be food, culture, music, and comedy in the evening. It will show that Abuja can also host major cultural events in December,” he said.

Beyond the spectacle, the festival carries a deeper mission: empowering youth and strengthening Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality value chain. “Through this festival, NIHOTOUR aims to empower youth in culinary and hospitality skills, create jobs, and promote innovation within the sector,” Fagade explained. “It also provides an opportunity to attract investors and expand business prospects in food, hospitality, and agribusiness.”

He added that NIHOTOUR is collaborating with private organizations to build technical capacity and raise professional standards across the industry.

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Minister Musawa echoed the festival’s significance, calling it a vital platform for economic inclusion and youth development. “The Renewed Hope Gastronomy Festival is very important because when we talk about economic growth and youth development, gastronomy plays a role just like film, music, and fashion. People eat every day, and Nigeria has made significant progress in showcasing its food globally,” she said.

She also emphasized the power of food as a tool for cultural diplomacy. “It’s remarkable how Nigerians use creativity to promote our identity and counter negative perception. This initiative aligns with our focus on economic growth and job creation in a culturally relevant way,” Musawa added.

The week-long celebration will include culinary masterclasses, food tastings, cultural performances, exhibitions, and investment dialogues—all designed to elevate Nigeria’s status in the global food scene.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to formally unveil the Mega Renewed Hope NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival and the Guinness World Record attempt in Abuja, marking a milestone moment where tradition meets ambition—one plate at a time.