Lai Mohammed, a former Minister of Information, has revealed that Jollof rice originated in Senegal and was initially prepared for prisoners.
Speaking on Channels TV on Tuesday, December 23, Mohammed, who served in the Buhari administration, explained that the name “Jollof” is derived from “Wollof”, referring to the Senegalese people.
He said, “Jollof rice was actually prepared for prisoners because it was that food put in one plate, oiled, salt and everything. So the origin of Jollof is Wollof. Later, it must be a UN tourism thing that came out on Wikipedia and said the origin of Jollof is Wollof.”
Mohammed’s comments add to ongoing discussions about the culinary history of Jollof rice, a dish widely celebrated across West Africa.