Pass the Jollof

Over the weekend, I came across a comment on Instagram about Hilda Baci’s bold quest for the largest Jollof Rice Cooking Pot. The person wrote: “Other countries are winning Nobel Prizes in economics, physics, medicine etc. while Nigeria is cooking jollof.” 

My first reaction? “Yen yen yen… bla bla bla.” Because, really, why try to belittle such a courageous, history-making attempt? If only he understood that Nigeria’s creative economy is no joke — it’s one of our biggest game-changers , employing millions of young people and giving hope where traditional systems fall short.

But here’s the sad part: comments like that are exactly why many people never step out to chase their dreams. Fear of being mocked, ridiculed, or dismissed has silenced countless ideas.

• Some young Nigerians hide their talents in music, art, or fashion because they’ve been told it’s “not serious work.”

• Entrepreneurs begin to doubt themselves the moment someone says, “This idea is too small to matter.”

• Innovators abandon their ideas halfway because someone sneers, “Who dash you wisdom?”

History is full of dreamers who were laughed at before they were celebrated. Critics told the Wright brothers that “if man were meant to fly, God would have given him wings.” They told Oprah she was “unfit for television.” Even Nollywood was once dismissed as “low quality” — today it’s a billion-dollar industry putting Nigeria on the global map.

That’s why Ebenezer Obey’s timeless “The Horse, The Man and His Son” remains relevant. You simply cannot live your life based on critics’ opinions.

Instead, look at what really happened with Hilda: thousands of people showed up. Some came for the jollof, some to witness history, some for the vibe, others for content creation — but they all showed up. That’s the power of support. That’s the strength of community.

And this is what we need more of in Nigeria: standing by each other, cheering each other on, and showing up even when there’s nothing directly in it for us. Because when we support one another, we multiply the chances of WINNING.

As Helen Keller said: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

So let’s keep passing the jollof of support. WIMBIZ Associates and Life Members, this is our moment to show up for the upcoming Annual Conference. Register to attend. Share your personal story about WIMBIZ’s impact. Create awareness. Tag us. Let’s remind the world that when women support women — everybody wins!

And as I sign out (still thinking about Hilda’s Jollof ), I’ve got DJ Cuppy’s “Jollof on the Jet” on repeat. If you don’t know the song, go check it out — and make sure you dance while at it.

Have a great week!