The World Iyan Carnival, an initiative aimed at boosting yam production and promoting African cultural heritage, has been officially launched. Prince Ajayi, founder of the carnival, announced that the project will cultivate 50 million tubers of yam, significantly enhancing Nigeria’s current production of 61 million metric tons, as reported by the United Nations Food Agency.
Ajayi emphasized that the initiative is a collaboration between the private and public sectors and aims to tackle food security in Nigeria and across Africa. Describing the carnival as innovative and ambitious, he highlighted its potential to engage stakeholders in the food and processing industries.
“The World Iyan Carnival seeks to elevate African cuisine while using food as both a cultural and economic tool, all while promoting sustainable agricultural practices,” Ajayi said.
The initiative aligns with the Lagos Accord, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s leadership, where Western Nigerian governors are working together to improve food production and security. Ajayi noted that the carnival will also support broader governmental efforts to bolster food security across the region.
Ajayi revealed that the World Iyan Carnival is the result of seven years of research and development, driven by a deep passion for African food and a desire for social impact. He explained that the project began as a simple idea to celebrate African cuisine while contributing to global food security efforts, including the zero-hunger movement.
The team behind the carnival embarked on extensive research, traveling across various states in Nigeria to document local culinary traditions. Through documentaries and interviews, they captured these traditions, forming the cultural backbone of the project.
The World Iyan Carnival is structured around four core pillars aimed at promoting food security, celebrating African culture, and fostering economic growth through tourism and agriculture. The inaugural event will take place on December 27, 2024, in Ado-Ekiti, featuring the Omoge Iyan Pageant and the Iyan Challenge.
The Omoge Iyan Pageant will highlight contestants representing the rich traditions of their regions, while the Iyan Challenge will see African men competing to demonstrate their expertise in the entire process of Iyan (pounded yam) production, from cultivating yams to preparing the dish.
Interested participants can register through the World Iyan Carnival’s social media platforms.
A key aspect of the initiative is a documentary that will explore the origins and cultural significance of Iyan within African societies. This documentary will premiere at the National Theater in Lagos in 2025, showcasing the history and culinary traditions behind pounded yam.
Additionally, the project includes the cultivation of 50 million yam tubers and the establishment of the Aafin Iyan Resort. According to Ajayi, “The Aafin Iyan Resort is the first of its kind in Africa, combining tourism, culture, history, and heritage to offer visitors an immersive experience of African cuisine and cultural traditions.”
The World Iyan Carnival aims to be a transformative project, highlighting African culinary arts while addressing food security and driving economic growth through agriculture and tourism.
