FG targets Guinness record with longest dining table in Abuja

By Editor

The Federal Government has said it is attempting 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.

The initiative was announced on Thursday in Abuja at a joint media briefing by the Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Dr. Abisoye Fagade; and the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa.

They said that the record attempt would be set during the Mega Renewed Hope NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival scheduled for December in Abuja.

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 said.
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.
He said that the initiative is expected to attract investors and expand business prospects in food, hospitality, and agribusiness.
Also speaking, Hanatu 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.
The minister 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.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to formally unveil the Mega Renewed Hope NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival and the Guinness World Record attempt in Abuja.
The week-long festival will feature exhibitions, culinary masterclasses, cultural displays, food tastings, and investment dialogues.