Former Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, has weighed in on the long-running debate over the origin of jollof rice, tracing the popular West African dish to Senegal and its Wolof heritage.
Speaking on the subject, Mohammed explained that the name “jollof” is derived from “Wollof,” a reference to the Wolof people of Senegal, noting that many Nigerians are unaware of the dish’s historical roots.
According to him, jollof rice was originally prepared as a simple, all-in-one meal for prisoners. He said the dish typically combined rice, oil, salt and other basic ingredients served in a single plate, making it easy to prepare and distribute.
Mohammed added that historical accounts, including references attributed to tourism authorities and information published on Wikipedia, support the claim that jollof rice originated from the Wolof culture in Senegal.
His comments were aimed at shedding light on the historical background of the dish, which remains a subject of cultural pride and friendly rivalry among West African countries.