King Charles III has declared Nigeria’s jollof the best during a light-hearted exchange at a State Banquet held in honour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at Windsor Castle, before quickly stepping back to diplomatic neutrality over West Africa’s long-running culinary rivalry.
In his speech, the monarch recalled hosting a recent “Jollof and Tea” gathering, where the popular dish became the centre of friendly debate among guests.
He admitted the conversation quickly turned into the familiar contest between Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal over who makes the finest version.
“I was firmly assured that the Jollof was only the best: Nigerian, of course… or perhaps Ghanaian or Senegalese,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience. “Diplomatically I cannot remember!” His remark added a humorous touch to the evening while carefully avoiding endorsing any single country.
The comment once again spotlighted Jollof rice, a widely loved West African staple made with rice, tomatoes, spices and often meat or vegetables, which has become a symbol of national pride across the region.
Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal each continue to claim the most authentic or superior version.
Beyond the food banter, King Charles used the occasion to celebrate the cultural ties between the United Kingdom and Nigeria, praising the global impact of Afrobeats, Nollywood and Nigerian creative talent.
He described Nigeria as a “cultural force” whose influence is increasingly visible in Britain.
President Bola Tinubu attended the banquet alongside senior British officials, royals and invited guests from both countries, marking a key moment in his official visit.
Among those present were political leaders including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, as well as cultural and sporting figures such as Tiwa Savage, Yinka Shonibare, Sir Ben Okri, Ade Adepitan and Eniola Aluko.
While the King’s remarks playfully suggested Nigeria’s version had strong backing, his final refusal to choose a winner ensured the decades-old Jollof debate remains unresolved, much to the amusement of those in attendance.
