The federal government is set to attempt a Guinness World Record for the longest dining table — a 3.6-kilometre setup expected to seat between 2,000 and 3,000 participants — during the Mega Renewed Hope NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival scheduled for December in Abuja.
The initiative was announced on Thursday at a joint world press briefing 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 edition, themed “Oriki: Taste of Culture,” is aimed at celebrating Nigeria’s culinary diversity while promoting economic opportunities in the nation’s hospitality and creative sectors, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dr. Fagade said the record-breaking attempt would take place in the morning of December 6, after which the table would be used as a communal dining space later in the day.
“We plan to break the record in the morning of December 6 and use the same table for a dining event later.
“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 stated.
He explained that the festival forms part of NIHOTOUR’s broader strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s tourism value chain through skills development, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment.
According to him, the initiative is expected to attract investors and expand business prospects in food, hospitality, and agribusiness.
Also speaking, Musawa described the event as a strategic platform for economic inclusion and youth participation in the creative economy.
“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 praised the role Nigerian cuisine continues to play in cultural diplomacy, noting that the creativity of Nigerian chefs and food entrepreneurs has deepened the country’s global cultural influence.
The week-long festival will feature exhibitions, culinary masterclasses, cultural displays, food tastings, and investment dialogues.
President Bola Tinubu is expected to formally unveil the Mega Renewed Hope NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival and the Guinness World Record attempt in Abuja.
