Nigeria Set to Dine Its Way Into History With Record-Breaking 3.6KM Table in Abuja

In an ambitious move that blends culture, tourism, and national pride, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to attempt a Guinness World Record for the world’s longest dining table during this year’s Mega Renewed Hope NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival scheduled for December in Abuja. The announcement, which has already sparked nationwide excitement and curiosity, was made on Thursday during a joint world press briefing addressed by the Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Aare (Dr.) Abisoye Fagade, and the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa.

This year’s festival, themed “Oriki: Taste of Culture,” promises to be a spectacular celebration of Nigeria’s culinary diversity, heritage, and creativity. It will also serve as a symbolic reflection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing national unity, cultural revival, and economic empowerment through tourism and creative industries. Dr. Fagade revealed that the centerpiece of the event will be an awe-inspiring 3.6-kilometre-long dining table — a feat that could etch Nigeria’s name in the Guinness World Records as the host of the longest dining table ever assembled.

The dining setup, designed to seat between 2,000 and 3,000 guests, will be unveiled in a grand record-attempt ceremony on the morning of December 6. After the official Guinness verification, the same table will seamlessly transform into a lively communal dining space for the evening’s festivities — a symbolic gesture of unity, shared experiences, and the spirit of hospitality that defines Nigeria. Fagade noted that this extraordinary event will not only showcase Nigerian cuisine but also merge the country’s cultural expression through food, music, fashion, and comedy in a single vibrant atmosphere that places Abuja at the heart of December’s festive calendar.

Speaking at the briefing, Dr. Fagade emphasized that the NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival has evolved beyond a culinary showcase to become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s tourism and creative economy development. According to him, the festival aligns with the institute’s broader mission of strengthening the country’s tourism value chain through training, innovation, capacity building, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment. “What we are creating is more than a record attempt,” he explained. “It is a national statement — a demonstration that Nigeria is capable of hosting world-class cultural events that rival any on the global stage.”

He further elaborated that the project aims to attract both local and international investments while unlocking new opportunities in hospitality, food, agribusiness, and creative enterprise. Beyond the glamour of breaking records, the event will serve as a platform for artisans, chefs, entertainers, and entrepreneurs to showcase their talents and connect with global networks in the tourism and hospitality sectors. The 2025 edition, according to NIHOTOUR, is expected to draw a wide array of stakeholders, including policymakers, investors, tourists, and culture enthusiasts from within and outside the country.

Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa echoed the DG’s enthusiasm, describing the upcoming event as a groundbreaking platform for economic inclusion and youth engagement in the creative economy. She praised the ingenuity of Nigerians who continue to project local cuisine and culture on the international stage, stressing that this record-breaking attempt represents a proud milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing cultural renaissance. “Nigerian food has gone global,” she remarked passionately. “From Lagos to London, from Abuja to Atlanta, our dishes are being celebrated for their authenticity, creativity, and unforgettable taste. This festival is our way of telling the world that Nigeria is not just about oil — we are a powerhouse of creativity, flavour, and cultural brilliance.”

The Minister added that the Oriki: Taste of Culture theme was deliberately chosen to honour Nigeria’s oral traditions and culinary artistry, blending storytelling with gastronomy in a way that highlights the essence of the nation’s identity. She said the collaboration between NIHOTOUR and the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy reflects the Tinubu administration’s commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s tourism industry as a major driver of economic diversification and job creation.

As part of the festival’s activities, local and international chefs are expected to collaborate on showcasing traditional Nigerian recipes with modern twists, while cultural performances, fashion exhibitions, and creative workshops will run alongside the main event. Abuja’s streets are anticipated to come alive with colour, aroma, and sound as thousands of visitors troop in to witness what many are already calling “Nigeria’s biggest dinner party in history.”

The symbolic nature of the 3.6-kilometre table also carries deep cultural meaning. In many Nigerian communities, dining together is more than just eating; it is an act of communion, unity, and peacebuilding. By attempting this world record, organizers hope to remind Nigerians — and indeed the world — of the power of shared experiences in fostering national harmony and optimism. “The table is long enough to remind us that there is space for everyone in the Nigeria we are building,” Fagade said. “Whether you are a chef, a farmer, an entertainer, or a craftsman, this is your table — this is our story.”

The festival is also expected to position Abuja as a leading destination for end-of-year cultural tourism, a move that could generate significant revenue for the local economy. Hotels, transport services, event planners, and small businesses are projected to benefit immensely from the influx of guests and participants. Already, preparations are in full swing, with logistics teams working on the massive layout for the record-breaking dining table and partnerships being forged with key players in the food and beverage industries.

For many Nigerians, this event represents a refreshing turn toward national pride and global recognition through culture rather than controversy. The idea of a 3.6-kilometre dining table is not only bold but deeply symbolic of Nigeria’s diversity and unity — a vision that aligns perfectly with the government’s “Renewed Hope” narrative. As anticipation builds, Abuja is set to welcome a wave of local and international media, Guinness World Record officials, and culture lovers eager to witness history in the making.

The Mega Renewed Hope NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival 2025 will officially be launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is expected to declare open the Guinness World Record attempt in a grand ceremony that will blend national pride with global visibility. The eyes of the world will soon turn to Abuja as Nigeria takes its seat at the world’s longest table — not just to eat, but to celebrate, connect, and redefine what it means to share a meal as one people.

As December approaches, one thing is clear: this will not be an ordinary festival. It will be a feast for the senses, a statement of unity, and possibly, a new entry in the Guinness Book of World Records — proof that when Nigerians come together, even the longest table in the world might not be long enough to contain their dreams.