King Charles III has playfully declared that Nigerian jollof rice is the best on the African continent while speaking at a state banquet in honour of President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, during their historic two-day visit to the United Kingdom.
Jollof, a popular West African dish, is prepared by cooking rice in a tomato, onion, and pepper sauce seasoned with thyme and curry powder, often served with meat, fried plantains, or salad at celebrations.
The British monarch also praised Nigerians living in the UK for their contributions across various sectors.
“We in the United Kingdom are blessed that so many people of Nigerian heritage, having chosen Britain as their home, are now at the heart of British life through excelling at the highest levels of business, technology, academia, law, science, sport, literature, and the arts,” he said.
King Charles highlighted encounters with Nigerians making significant impacts in schools, businesses, the National Health Service, and universities, noting the role of young people supported by the King’s Trust over the last fifty years.
“I have met so many of these quiet heroes in our schools, businesses, National Health Service and universities, including countless young people who have flourished through the work of my King’s Trust over the last fifty years,” he said.
The monarch recounted hosting a “Jollof and Tea” party at St James’s Palace, where attendees assured him of the superiority of Nigerian jollof, though he jokingly added it might also be Ghanaian or Senegalese.
“Only last week, I was delighted to host a rather lively group of them for a ‘Jollof and Tea’ party at St. James’s Palace. I was firmly assured that the jollof was only the best: Nigerian, of course… or perhaps Ghanaian or Senegalese. Diplomatically, I cannot remember!” he quipped.
King Charles even greeted the Nigerian delegation in Yoruba, saying, “Ẹ káàbọ̀, şé dáadáa ni,” meaning “Welcome, how are you doing?”
Proposing a toast at the banquet, he added: “I can only wish you and the millions of Muslims in our countries Eid Mubarak. Let me propose a toast to the president and people of Nigeria. Naija no dey carry last.”
