Jack’s Japa Empowerment - Diaspora Handbook

171. NIGERIAN FOODS For Nigerians living abroad, food is more than just fuel; it is also memories, identity, and spiritual medicine. The taste of jollof rice, egusi soup, suya, or puff-puff immediately transports you back home in a way that nothing else can. That is why Nigerian cuisines wield such influence in the immigrant experience. They bring comfort, unity, and even new business opportunities. When Nigerians assemble abroad, food is almost always central because it serves as a reminder of our origins and what we carry within us. One of the difficulties many people experience after Japa is access to traditional Nigerian food. Initially, it appeared to be a luxury, because yam, garri, and plantain were not widely available in stores. But the Nigerian spirit is resourceful. Soon, Afro-Caribbean stores, small shops, and even mainstream supermarkets responded to the demand. Nigerians abroad create their own food businesses—restaurants, catering services, and delivery hubs—so that...