Britain’s King Charles III has praised Nigerian cuisine, describing Nigerian jollof rice as the best in Africa. He made the remark while hosting a state banquet in honour of Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu at Windsor Castle on March 18, 2026.
The banquet formed part of a series of high-level engagements marking President Tinubu’s historic two-day state visit to the United Kingdom—the first by a Nigerian leader in nearly four decades.
In his speech, the monarch reflected on his interactions with Nigerians in the UK, commending their contributions across key sectors. He described many of them as “quiet heroes” who have made significant impacts in education, business, healthcare, and community development, including beneficiaries of his charitable initiative, The King’s Trust.
Recounting a recent cultural gathering, King Charles spoke about hosting a “Jollof and Tea” event at St James’s Palace, where the debate over which country makes the best jollof rice surfaced. While he acknowledged the friendly rivalry among Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal, he jokingly noted that he could not “diplomatically” recall which was declared the best.
The King further lauded Nigerians in Britain for their excellence in fields such as technology, law, academia, science, sports, literature, and the arts, noting that their influence continues to shape British society. He highlighted the growing global appeal of Nigerian culture, from Afrobeats music filling concert halls to Nollywood productions gaining international recognition, as well as the presence of Nigerian talent in top-tier football and the legal profession.
In a gesture that drew warm reactions, the monarch greeted President Tinubu and members of the Nigerian delegation in Yoruba, saying, “Ẹ káàbọ̀, ṣé dáadáa ni?” meaning, “Welcome, how are you?”
He also extended goodwill to Muslims in both countries ahead of the festive period, wishing them “Eid Mubarak.”
Raising a toast to Nigeria, King Charles concluded with a popular Nigerian expression: “Naija no dey carry last,” underscoring his admiration for the country’s resilience and spirit of excellence.
