How Nigerian food is gaining popularity in Bournemouth – National Accord Newspaper

By NGUHER KENDRA ITYOACHIMIN, ffrom Bournemouth –

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous black nation, a country with a rich cultural heritage and diversity, it has a population of over 200 million people, 250 ethnic groups and approximately 500 different languages. Nigeria, like many other countries of the world, exports its abundant natural resources such as crude oil, agricultural products, fertilizers and cement to different parts of the world.

In recent years, Nigeria has moved beyond its natural resources. The Giant of Africa, as it is commonly called, stands uniquely in its own class with a diverse population that travels far and often far and has begun exporting its influential culture in the form of food, music, movies, lifestyle and fashion .

Nigeria’s food in particular has gained worldwide popularity, starting with friendly wars with other countries in West Africa, such as Ghana and Senegal.

Bournemouth, a coastal town south of Dorset in England, has a diverse group of people from different backgrounds and countries. With the increasing number of Nigerians in the country and a growing curiosity for African food, Britain has embraced African food through Nigerian cuisine and delicacies

We look at one of the first Nigerian themed restaurants in Bournemouth, Mimi’s African restaurant, owned by a Nigerian, Mr Enoguses Oviarobo, who is also the manager.

In an interview with Mr. Oviarobo, he had said that he started the restaurant to contribute to the community, the increasing number of black people in the area, the popularity of African cuisine and to fill the void of the lack of an African cuisine in the Bournemouth area. . He said although the popularity of African food compared to other ethnicities such as Chinese, Jamaican Thai, Turkish and Indian cuisines is still relatively low in the area due to our poor tourism figures in Nigeria, his restaurant has been surprisingly well received by the community. .

In his words: “The majority of our customers are British, even more than Nigerians, as well as Chinese, Turkish and Indian customers. It is interesting that they like the food, because Bournemouth was previously a place of mainly white people, our culture is to be introduced to them because many of them have not visited Nigeria, and carving out a niche here was a challenge initially, but with the nature of inclusivity in Bournemouth, the great customer service and the excellent cuisine, they come to visit and even invite their friends.”

He added that they have found success by refining the recipes to be less spicy and tailored to individual customer preferences. He added that “with the advent of TikTok and social media leading to Jollof wars and people highlighting different Nigerian cuisines such as jollof rice, pounded yam and egusi soup, people are now more adventurous and keen to try different things.

He also stressed the importance of authenticity, embracing our crown as Africans and staying true to ourselves as Nigerians as no one can make sushi as good as a Japanese man. So also being original and not trying to change Nigerian food has helped Nigerians food be loved and accepted by foreigners.

This reporter spoke with some of the restaurant’s customers.

Ario Payk, an Iranian living in Bournemouth, said this about Nigerian food: “I love the variety, I love the spice and spark it offers. It’s different, it has a soul; I love the spices used in making the chicken and the suya is my favorite. We are ordering a selection today and will share it to discover the basics.”

He describes Nigerians as genuinely nice, friendly and with a personal charm.

Jenni Murfitt, from Southhampton, Eastleigh, said she likes the food because “it has more flavor and is also better cooked compared to British food. I now make the rice thanks to my partner, and my children love the egusi.”

She added that she loves Nigerian culture because everyone is always cheerful and welcoming.

Abraham Adekoya, a resident of the area, described the food as authentic, tasty food and closest to home cooking, adding that the egusi is his favorite food as well as jollof and puff pastry.

Another Nigerian Chukuma Onuka, a resident of the area, said the food reminds him of home, just like his mother’s cooking, and comes in handy when he cannot cook.

He added that “it makes me a proud Nigerian to see Nigerian meals being widely accepted by people from other countries and gradually African meals will take center stage. In the past, people have been discouraged by the spice, but the trumpet sounds and give it a decade, African meals will be modeled on Italian pizza or the noodles of the Asians and Jollof rice will take a seat at the table.

Lending his voice to the Jollof wars in Ghana and Nigeria, he says Nigeria has the best jollof. He said: “Ghana jollof is not in the competition and compared to Nigerian jollof we should be talking about Indian Jollof and Asian curry.

Nigerian food puts Nigeria on the map beyond its borders and paves the way for tourism and cultural exchange that is beneficial to Nigeria.