The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced an ambitious plan to break the Guinness World Record for the longest dining table, measuring an impressive 3.6 kilometers in length. This historic attempt will take place in the nation's capital as part of a major cultural festival celebrating Nigeria's rich culinary traditions.
Record-Breaking Event Details and Schedule
The monumental dining table will stretch 3.6 kilometers through Abuja and is expected to accommodate between 2,000 and 3,000 guests in a royal banquet-style experience. According to official announcements, the record attempt will occur on December 6, 2025 at Eagle Square, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expected to formally unveil the festival and the record-breaking table.
Dr. Abisoye Fagade, Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), revealed during a joint press conference that the table will serve dual purposes. "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," Dr. Fagade stated.
Mega Renewed Hope NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival
The world record attempt will headline the week-long Mega Renewed Hope NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival, themed "Oriki: Taste of Culture." This extensive festival aims to showcase Nigeria's diverse culinary heritage while simultaneously promoting economic growth within the hospitality and creative sectors.
The 'Oriki' festival will feature numerous activities including:
- Cultural exhibitions and showcases
- Culinary masterclasses with top chefs
- Food tasting events highlighting regional specialties
- Investment dialogues for the food and hospitality industries
- Musical performances and comedy shows
Organizers emphasize that the event will celebrate the essence of Nigerian royalty through traditional food etiquette, storytelling, and community engagement practices.
Economic Impact and Youth Empowerment
Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, described the event as a strategic platform for economic inclusion and youth engagement 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 explained.
The minister praised Nigerian cuisine's role in cultural diplomacy, noting that the creativity of local chefs and food entrepreneurs has significantly enhanced the country's global cultural influence. The festival represents part of NIHOTOUR's broader strategy to strengthen Nigeria's tourism value chain through comprehensive skills development, entrepreneurship programs, and youth empowerment initiatives.
Dr. Fagade further elaborated that the initiative is expected to attract substantial investor interest and expand business opportunities across multiple sectors including food production, hospitality services, and agribusiness development.
This world record attempt follows other recent Nigerian achievements in the culinary world, including celebrity chef Hilda Baci's Guinness World Record for the largest serving of cooked Nigerian jollof rice, which received congratulations from First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu as a moment of national pride and global recognition.
