Organisers of the International Akara Day Festival have said the initiative is designed to promote Nigeria’s food culture while creating economic opportunities for women and grassroots entrepreneurs.
The maiden edition of the festival was held on Monday in Abuja, bringing together akara sellers, other local food vendors and enthusiasts of indigenous Nigerian cuisine.
The event featured cooking showcases, marketplace activities and programmes focused on women and youth entrepreneurship.
Co-convener Abiodun Macaulay said akara sellers and other small-scale food entrepreneurs already contributed to the economy but often lacked sufficient recognition and support.
He said the festival was not restricted to akara but was intended to promote other indigenous foods and support petty traders.
Macaulay said the celebration would be held annually on September 21, with organisers hoping to expand the initiative internationally through franchises in different countries.
Another co-convener, Patrick Onazi, said the festival was inspired partly by the growing popularity of foreign foods and the need to give greater visibility to Nigeria’s own culinary traditions.
He said akara could also provide a source of income for small-scale entrepreneurs while serving as a representation of Nigerian culture.
Participants at the event welcomed the initiative, with some saying greater promotion of indigenous foods could help preserve Nigeria’s culinary heritage and encourage more young people to embrace local food traditions.
