Firewood Jollof, a Lagos-based foodtech startup, has announced plans to host the second edition of its annual Jollof Festival on November 29, 2025, at Muri-Okunola Park, Victoria Island, Lagos, with a focus on unifying African culinary heritage and promoting food tourism across the continent.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, Chizoma Chukwueke, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Firewood Jollof, said the 2025 edition, themed “Unifying African Jollof,” aims to preserve Africa’s rich food identity while celebrating the traditional firewood cooking method.
Chukwueke said, “We announced our upcoming festival happening on November 29 at Muri-Okunola Park from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. This festival is about preserving our cultural heritage. We do not want it to go extinct. Every time this festival comes on board, it is something that will happen every year, and this is Firewood Jollof 2.0. This year is bigger and better.”
Chukwueke said that the idea behind Firewood Jollof is deeply rooted in nostalgia, adding: “It’s the way our mothers cooked it when we were younger. That is what we knew growing up. With everyone trying to recreate Firewood Jollof using gas and other means, we want to keep the real heritage alive.”
According to her, this year’s edition would introduce West African Jollof, prepared with ingredients from Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Kenya, featuring chefs from across the region. The festival will also include cooking competitions, a children’s area, celebrity appearances, and expanded vendor participation.
Chukwueke named Access Bank as the headline sponsor, with Devon Kings Oil, MTN, and Nestlé Pure Life as supporting partners. She added that the festival would provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a platform to showcase their products, generate income, and connect with new audiences.
She further revealed plans to extend the festival to other Nigerian states in 2026, with long-term ambitions to take it to other African countries and London.
Voke Emeje, Assistant Brand Manager, Devon Kings Oil, said the brand’s involvement aligns with its slogan, “Taste that binds.” Emeje said, “We want to be part of building and making memories. Firewood Jollof aligns with our positioning, which is unifying consumers. There will be food sampling, experience centres, games, giveaways, and much more.”
Chibuzor Chukwueke, Marketing Director, Firewood Jollof Nigeria, said organisers are targeting over 20,000 attendees, double last year’s turnout of 10,000. He said, “Last year was a blast. This year will be bigger. We had about 35 small businesses last year; we expect more this year, contributing to economic growth.”
He added that the festival would further drive food tourism and promote Nigeria’s cuisine across Africa, noting that the company also works with local farmers as part of its supply chain to support the event.
