25/08/2025
AKWA IBOM TO HOST INAUGURAL WORLD IBOM FOOD FESTIVAL IN SEPTEMBER 2025
Preparations are in top gear for the maiden edition of the World Ibom Food Festival (WIFFE 2025), scheduled to hold from September 19–28, 2025, at Ibom Unity Park, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Organized by Ibom Food Festival Limited in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the festival is designed to celebrate and showcase the state’s rich culinary heritage while promoting its cultural identity to a global audience.
Speaking on the vision behind the event, Mr. Aniefiok Essien, Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Food Festival Limited, described WIFFE 2025 as a landmark cultural showcase that will not only highlight Akwa Ibom’s diverse food traditions but also drive tourism, entrepreneurship, and international recognition.
The festival will feature a wide range of activities including a carnival float, culinary heritage exhibitions, cultural performances, live music, interactive sessions, workshops, a cooking-and-dancing contest, seafood and grilled meat nights, as well as a farmers’ fair.
According to Mr. Essien, WIFFE 2025 goes beyond being a mere food exhibition. It aligns with the A.R.I.S.E. Agenda of Governor Umo Eno’s administration, promoting cultural pride, empowering women and youth in agribusiness, stimulating tourism, and positioning Akwa Ibom as Africa’s foremost culinary destination.
He emphasized that the festival carries profound symbolic significance, serving as a cultural statement that redefines the identity of Akwa Ibom people through creativity and excellence in food, moving away from outdated stereotypes.
“The focus of WIFFE 2025 is not profit-making,” Mr. Essien noted. “It is about restoring, preserving, and sustaining our fast-eroding cultural values while passing them on to future generations.”
He commended the Akwa Ibom State Government for its commitment to promoting culture and tourism, stressing the importance of heritage preservation for long-term community and economic growth.
WIFFE 2025 is powered by Ibom Food Festival Limited, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, with official endorsement from the Government of Akwa Ibom State. The festival promises to be a vibrant platform for cultural celebration, economic empowerment, and global visibility for the Akwa Ibom people.
