Origin of jollof rice according to Lai Mohammed
Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has stirred fresh debate after claiming that jollof rice was originally prepared for prisoners and that the popular dish has its roots in Senegal. Speaking in a video that has since gone viral on social media, Mohammed stated that the origin of jollof rice is linked to the Wolof people of Senegal, from whom the name “jollof” was derived.
According to him, the dish was initially made as a basic meal for prisoners before it spread beyond confinement settings and became widely accepted among the general population. He explained that the word “jollof” is a variation of “Wolof,” referring to the ethnic group in Senegal, which he described as the true origin of the food that is now celebrated across West Africa.
The statement has reignited the long-standing jollof rice rivalry among countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal, with many social media users reacting strongly to the claim. While some agreed with the historical reference to Senegal and the Wolof people, others questioned the accuracy of describing jollof rice as a meal originally meant for prisoners.
Food historians have long acknowledged that jollof rice traces its roots to the Senegambian region, where early versions of the dish were cooked using local ingredients. Over time, the meal evolved as it spread across West Africa, with each country adapting it to local tastes, spices, and cooking methods, resulting in the different versions enjoyed today.
Lai Mohammed’s comments have continued to generate conversations online, highlighting how deeply jollof rice is tied to cultural identity and national pride in the region. The viral video has once again shown that discussions about the origin of jollof rice remain a sensitive and passionately debated topic among West Africans.
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