Ofada Rice Day Festival, an annual celebration of Ofada rice’s rich heritage which unites food lovers, culture enthusiasts, and innovators, will this year celebrate innovation, identity and Nigeria’s culinary future.
This year’s event highlights a collective Nigerian story showing how Ofada has risen from a small village staple to a national treasure and an emerging global culinary identity.
Speaking during a press conference to announce this year’s Ofada Rice Day Festival, Tobi Fletcher, the Convener of the Ofada Rice Day Festival, Creative Director of OfadaBoy, and President of the Association of Professional Food Service Providers of Nigeria said his connection to Ofada rice runs deeper than business.
“I come from a lineage of first-generation rice farmers, and my great-grandfather was the first Ofada rice farmer. It is a legacy built on sacrifice, innovation, and tradition. This work today is a continuation of that story, a responsibility I carry with pride.
“With close to 20 years in the hospitality and food service sector, I have seen the evolution of Nigerian cuisine, the challenges, the breakthroughs, and the incredible potential of our local foods. That experience guides the work we do with OfadaBoy and the Ofada Rice Day Festival,” Fletcher said.
Speaking on the theme of the event, “Ofada Rising: Celebrating Innovation, Identity and Nigeria’s Culinary Future,” he said the rise represents the rise of Nigerian farmers, homegrown food businesses, cultural pride and innovation in our food system.
According to him, Ofada is no longer “just rice.” It is a movement.
“Ofada has entered a new era of modernization and global visibility. At this year’s festival, we highlight innovation through: New Ofada-based products, creative culinary presentations, and sustainable farming solutions, young entrepreneurs transforming food culture, technologies improving processing, packaging, and distribution.
Innovation ensures that our traditional foods become global brands,” the Ofada Rice Day Festival Convener said.
He described Ofada as an identity as its aroma speaks of heritage.
“Its taste speaks as a history that has a story speaking of home, adding that when Ofada is celebrated, many other things are celebrated including our communities, culture, ancestors, Nigeria’s shared story and our growing culinary pride.
“As President of the Association of Professional Food Service Providers of Nigeria, I see the immense possibility ahead of us. Our collective future will be shaped by supporting local farmers and processors, building culinary tourism, promoting Nigerian food globally, standardizing food service practices, empowering chefs and food entrepreneurs and creating stronger platforms for innovation. Nigeria’s culinary future is ready and Ofada is leading the charge,” Fletcher said.
He noted that at the core of the Ofada Rice Day Festival is a commitment to empowering local food sellers, market women, small-scale vendors, cooks, and rising food entrepreneurs.
“These individuals especially women have upheld Nigerian food culture long before global attention arrived. They represent resilience, creativity, and the true spirit of our food ecosystem. This festival supports them by providing training and capacity building, improving food safety and hygiene standards, enhancing visibility and income opportunities, strengthening supply chain access and creating spaces for collaboration with major brands,” he added.
He commended the team creatives, coordinators, volunteers, community leaders, vendors, and partners which he said remain the heartbeat of the festival.
“Together with my co-partner Oyinda Fletcher, and a committed team, we are building something generational. We extend our deepest gratitude to all our partners, sponsors, stakeholders, and supporters. Your belief in this mission keeps the Ofada story alive,” he said.
This year’s festival will feature cultural and artistic showcases, innovation hubs, farmer and producer conversations, food exhibitions and tastings, culinary competitions, panel discussions with industry experts and the global unveiling of Ofadabration Canada 2025.
Also speaking during the press conference, Ifeanyi Chukwuekem, head of corporate strategy for Pocketmoni, the headline sponsor for the event, said they were very proud to sponsor the festival.
“It is important to align with a brand like Ofada Boy and make people also aware of Pocketmoni. We are the only fintech on the Nigerian stock exchange. This is to show how indigenous we are. We will be having an experience centre at the event so that people can be more involved in what we are doing,” Chukwuekem said.
