By Faith Olayemi

The Convener of the Ofada Rice Day Festival and Creative Director of OfadaBoy, Mr. Tobi Fletcher, on Tuesday announced the 2025 edition of the annual Ofada Rice Festival, declaring that the local delicacy has risen from a village staple to a national culinary symbol driving innovation and cultural identity.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, Fletcher, who also doubles as the President of the Association of Professional Food Service Providers of Nigeria (APFSPN), said this year’s edition, themed “Eko Dun Joor”, reflects a growing movement positioning local cuisine for global recognition.

Fletcher, accompanied by his wife and Co-Partner, Oyinda Fletcher, said the festival is a continuation of a family legacy that dates back to his great-grandfather, reputed as the first Ofada rice farmer.

“My connection to Ofada is deeper than business. It is heritage and a responsibility I carry with pride,” he said.

He noted that Ofada rice has become a symbol of the rise of Nigerian farmers, homegrown food businesses, and a renewed cultural pride.

“Ofada is no longer just rice; it is a movement,” he said, adding that the festival will highlight innovations in processing, packaging, culinary creativity, sustainable farming, and youth-led food entrepreneurship.

Fletcher stressed that the heart of the festival remains the empowerment of local food sellers, market women, cooks, and small-scale vendors who, according to him, “upheld Nigerian cuisine long before global attention.”

The festival, he said, offers these groups capacity building, food safety training, increased visibility, stronger supply chain access, collaborations with major brands, and financial empowerment opportunities.

“When we uplift local food sellers, we uplift families, communities, and culture,” he added.

Highlights of the 2025 Festival

The 2025 edition, billed for December 7 at Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, will feature cultural and artistic showcases, innovation hubs, panel sessions, farmer conversations, culinary competitions, food exhibitions, and the global unveiling of Ofadabration Canada 2025.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs  Abisola Olusanya, commended OfadaBoy for consistently promoting indigenous cuisine and cultural heritage.

“For them to make it bigger and better every year shows their passion, perseverance and love for our culture. Nobody does it better than Tobi Fletcher and the Ofada team,” she said, encouraging Nigerians to support young innovators in the food sector.

She added that the Lagos State Government is always willing to partner on initiatives that preserve local foods and strengthen the agricultural value chain.

Also speaking, the Head of Corporate Strategy for PocketMoni (Etranzact), Mr. Ifeanyi Chukwuekem, revealed that the company is the major sponsor of this year’s festival.

“We are proud to align with OfadaBoy. For us, this festival is a strategic platform to deepen awareness of PocketMoni, help people save, invest, and manage their finances. It is a mini-launch for us,” he said.

Fletcher rounded off by reaffirming the mission of the festival: “In the spirit of our theme, Ofada Rising we rise with our heritage, we rise with our creativity, we rise with our identity, and we rise with the future of Nigerian cuisine.”