Lagos residents turned out in large numbers on Saturday for the 2026 edition of Knorr Jollof Fest at Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, transforming the venue into a lively gathering centred on food, entertainment and shared cultural experiences.
Now in its fourth year, the festival drew thousands of attendees who spent the day moving between food stations, live performances and interactive spaces designed around one of Nigeria’s most popular dishes — jollof rice.
This year’s event also served as the platform for the introduction of Knorr Smokey Party Jollof Seasoning. Beyond the product launch, the festival unfolded as a full-day cultural experience featuring cooking demonstrations, tasting sessions, art installations and live entertainment, with music star Adekunle Gold closing the evening with a headline performance.
Reflecting on the idea behind the event, Damilola Dania, Foods Demand Creation Lead at Unilever Nigeria Plc, said the festival was created to celebrate the role food plays in bringing people together and to create a space where food, music, art and culture intersect in ways that feel familiar and distinctly Nigerian.
Across the festival grounds, guests explored different themed areas including a Herbs and Spice Garden, Vendor Village, Jollof Sampling Station, Main Stage arena, VIP Lounge, Fuji Dome and the Gist and Jollof Podcast Studio hosted by Taymesan. The variety of experiences created an atmosphere that blended culinary discovery with entertainment and social interaction.
Several recognised culinary voices also took part in the event. Facilitators including Chef Dee, Chef Amaka and Dr Roberts shared perspectives on cooking techniques, flavour combinations and evolving food trends shaping contemporary Nigerian kitchens.
Following the Lagos outing, the festival is expected to continue in Abuja on July 12 and Port Harcourt on July 19, extending the conversation around food, music and culture to other parts of the country.
