On 18 September, Nigerians and other citizens were able to enjoy the rich culinary heritage of the Nordic countries at a food festival organised by the Nordic embassies in Abuja. With the exception of Iceland, which has no diplomatic presence in Nigeria, the other Nordic nations (Norway, Denmark, Finland and Sweden) came together to offer a unique experience of the diverse Nordic cuisine. The Nordic ambassadors in Nigeria highlighted their shared centuries-old cultural and economic heritage and spoke about the innovations and food solutions they are offering to the world.
The event, held at the Norwegian Ambassador’s residence at Sunrise Hill Estate, Asokoro, illustrated the deep connection between food and culture, celebrating both the diversity and convergence of Nigerian and Nordic cultures.
The guests were warmly welcomed by the ambassadors: Sanna Selin (Finland), Annika Hahn-Englund (Sweden), Jens Hansen (Denmark) and Svein Baera (Norway).
Nordic solutions for global food security
Danish ambassador Mr Hansen said that rich Nordic cuisine has become a global brand in recent years “and that some of the best restaurants in the world are now located in the Nordic countries”.
He said New Nordic cuisine emerged from the adoption of the principle of using “local, natural and seasonal products as a basis for new dishes”.
Waiters prepare to serve guests at the Food Festival held on Wednesday, September 18 at the Norwegian Ambassador's residence in Abuja. (Photo credit: Ademola Popoola- Premium Times)
He added that this principle could be the key to producing food for the world's estimated 9 billion people, including 400 million in Nigeria alone, within a few decades. “To meet the needs of the growing population, the planet must produce as much food in the next 40 years as was produced in the previous 8,000 years.
And our planet is already in trouble, and many people are already going to bed hungry every night.”
Article page with promotion of financial support A Swedish chef, Philippe Glago, at the event in Abuja: Photo credit: Ademola Popoola- Premium Times
He said there was a need to substantially increase food production while balancing how it affects the environment, adding that “cooperation, sharing of knowledge, technology and innovative solutions” were at the heart of the solution.
Swedish chef Glago serving one of the guests in Abuja on Wednesday. (Photo credit: Ademola Popoola-Premium Times) Photo credit: Ademola Popoola – NewslodgePhoto credit: Ademola Popoola – Premium Times
Nordic sustainable food innovations for the world
Finnish Ambassador Ms Selin reminded attendees of the “centuries-long cooperation between the Nordic countries” as well as their “common values and similar traditions”.
“We also have similarities in our food culture,” he said.
He highlighted how cooperation between countries extends to investments in shared research and innovation projects that focus on developing sustainable food solutions.
Photo credit: Ademola Popoola – Premium Times
According to her, part of their collaboration is focused on “food and innovations.” She said a lot has been done in the last 10 years, developing some solutions that “are really amazing.” From these collaborations, she said, “plant-based meat alternatives are being developed that mimic the taste, texture and appearance of real meat.”
He expressed hope that more Finnish products would be found in the Nigerian market, while inviting guests to enjoy the meals that would be offered during the evening.
Benefiting from centuries of cooperation, gender equality
Norwegian Ambassador Baera looked back on the creation of the Nordic link, paving the way for countries to work together and find common solutions.
“But it has not always been this peaceful. 1,000 years ago, the inhabitants of our Nordic countries were called Vikings. They were great shipbuilders and navigators and sailed across the Atlantic to America 500 years before Christopher Columbus. However, the Vikings were also violent warriors,” said Baera.
Photo credit: Ademola Popoola – Premium Times
Today, the ambassador said, the Nordic countries' vision is to be the most sustainable and integrated region in the world. This vision, according to Baera, is based on the lessons they have learned from history time and again: “together we are stronger.”
“War and conflict are poison for development and prosperity. Instead, constructive dialogue and cooperation between countries is what we all need to make the world a better place,” he added.
Photo credit: Ademola Popoola – Premium Times
She also explained how the Nordic countries have achieved success in promoting gender equality. In the Nordic countries, women participate in all areas of professional, political and social life. As both sexes work under practically equal conditions, countries can make the most of talents that are equally distributed. “We aspire to peaceful, democratic and inclusive societies, where everyone participates and has rights and responsibilities. This is how the Nordic countries have created strong societies that can cope with even the greatest challenges,” she said.
Investments in climate-smart agriculture to combat food insecurity
Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria Ms Englund shared her thoughts on Nigeria’s food crisis, which makes the country vulnerable to crises. “Despite Nigeria’s lush arable land, many people lack access to nutritious food. Nigeria imports most of its food, making it vulnerable to global crises such as Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, the war between Israel and Hamas, and climate-related disasters such as droughts and floods,” she said.
Photo credit: Ademola Popoola – Premium Times
He highlighted how Nordic countries are helping boost food security in Nigeria and beyond.
For example, she said, her country, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden contribute to the World Food Programme's Grains for Ukraine program, which she said has delivered 25,000 metric tons of wheat to Nigeria this year.
Photo credit: Ademola Popoola – NewslodgePhoto credit: Ademola Popoola – Premium Times
She added that the Nordic countries’ commitment to peaceful societies, human dignity, democratic development and inclusive growth also resonates in Nigeria. “Nordic companies invest in climate-smart agriculture, sustainable energy, infrastructure and rural connectivity, linking products to markets for prosperity. We also support food security in emergency situations,” she added.
Photo credit: Ademola Popoola – NewslodgePhoto credit: Ademola Popoola – Premium Times
Alanisepe Olamide, representative of Happy Heart Oat Nigeria Company, endorsed the quality of Nordic food products. “The Nordic countries are known for their quality. They don't produce much, but the little that comes from them is of quality,” he said.
Photo credit: Ademola Popoola – Premium Times
She also promoted Nordic Oat Rice to Nigerians. “They know that Nigeria is a rice-consuming nation. We must know that as we get older, we must be more health conscious and be more selective about what we consume. That is where Oat Rice comes in,” she said.
Photo credit: Ademola Popoola – NewslodgeDanish Ambassador Jens Hansen addresses guests at the Nordic Food Fest on Wednesday in Abuja. (Photo credit: Ademola Popoola- Premium Times)
According to Finnish ambassador Ms Selin, rice with oats is a quick and nutritious side dish made from high-quality Nordic oats. It contains 67 percent more protein, 7.5 times more dietary fiber and 26 percent less carbohydrates than boiled rice.
Comparing porridge rice to regular rice in Nigeria, Mr. Olamide said: “Porridge rice is a substitute for regular rice because the regular rice we consume is starch and everyone knows what fibre does in the body and what starch also does.”
Alanisepe Olamide speaking to Newslodgeat the event on Wednesday in Abuja. (Photo credit: Ademola Popoola-Premium Times)
Dishes and delicacies offered at the event included smoked salmon, baked salmon, sashimi salmon, cod, traditional open sandwiches made with Danish rye bread topped with Arla cream cheeses, cucumber and tomato, and Danish-inspired canapés.
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In addition, there were traditional open sandwiches made with Danish rye bread topped with Arla cream cheese, cucumber and tomato, Danish-inspired canapés, akara with pepper sauce made with Danish food ingredients, Nigerian puff pastry with chocolate topping, traditional Danish butter cookies, 'Copenhagen' cakes and Dano mango banana smoothie with banana milk and strawberry smoothie.
There were also Swedish meatballs, cinnamon buns and the still relatively unknown Scandinavian chocolate and oatmeal balls, mushroom risotto and Jollof rice with Finnish oatmeal rice from Fazer.
Guests were also served a cocktail made with Absolut Vodka, produced in southern Sweden using the finest Swedish grain and Happy Heart's Swedish oat milk.