King Charles III on Wednesday celebrated Nigeria’s cultural and global influence while humorously wading into the long-standing West African jollof rice debate during a state banquet held in honour of Bola Tinubu at Windsor Castle.
In his remarks, the British monarch praised Nigeria as a rising global force, describing it as “an economic powerhouse, a cultural force, and an influential diplomatic voice” on the African continent.
Highlighting the deep ties between both nations, King Charles noted that the United Kingdom is home to a large Nigerian community excelling across sectors such as business, technology, law, sports, literature, and the arts. He added that Nigerian culture continues to shape British society, citing the global impact of Afrobeats and Nollywood.
The King also referenced shared values and cultural wisdom, drawing from Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo proverbs to emphasise unity, adaptability, and collaboration in a rapidly changing world.
Adding a lighthearted moment to the evening, the monarch joked about the famous jollof rice rivalry among West African countries. Recalling a recent “Jollof and Tea” gathering at St James’s Palace, he said guests had passionately debated which country makes the best version of the dish.
“I was firmly assured that the jollof was only the best—Nigerian, of course, or perhaps Ghanaian or Senegalese. Diplomatically, I cannot remember,” he said, drawing laughter from attendees.
King Charles concluded his speech with a toast to Nigeria, using a popular Nigerian phrase, “Naija no dey carry last,” further underscoring the strong and friendly ties between both countries.
President Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, are in the United Kingdom on a historic state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and reinforcing cooperation within the Commonwealth.