FROM FEEDING THE HUNGRY TO BUILDING FUTURES: THE 9JA FOOD FIESTA STORY

9ja Food Fiesta, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) driven by a profound and compassionate mission: to feed people in need while addressing youth unemployment in Nigeria. Our approach goes beyond temporary relief—we empower young people with practical, income-generating skills through Training and Empowerment in four key areas: ICT Skills, Culinary Skills, Agriculture, and Fashion Designing (Tailoring).

At 9ja Food Fiesta, we believe that sustainable change happens when people are given the tools to build their own livelihoods. This belief guides our goal to train and empower 2,000 youths every three (3) months, including 200 persons with disabilities, across different states in Nigeria, including FCT, making a total of 74,000. By equipping beneficiaries with relevant skills, we enable them to become self-reliant entrepreneurs who can support themselves, their families, and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economy.

The heart of 9ja Food Fiesta lies in service and sacrifice. Our mission is rooted in compassion—to alleviate poverty and hunger by creating sustainable means of livelihood. We recognize that hunger is not just the absence of food, but the absence of opportunity. By combining humanitarian outreach with skill acquisition, we address both immediate needs and long-term survival.

One of our aims is to empower 74,000 Nigerians from every part of Nigeria before the end of 2028.

WHY THESE TRAININGS MATTER IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER AND POVERTY

• Culinary Skills: Food is a universal necessity. Training youths in culinary arts empowers them to start food-related businesses, secure employment, and provide nourishment within their communities—directly tackling hunger while generating income.
• ICT Skills: In a rapidly digitizing world, ICT opens doors to remote jobs, freelancing, entrepreneurship, and global opportunities. Digital skills reduce unemployment and create sustainable income streams beyond geographical limitations.
• Agriculture (Fishing & Poultry): Agriculture remains one of the strongest pillars of food security. By training youths in fishing and poultry farming, we promote local food production, reduce dependency, and ensure consistent access to nutritious food while creating profitable ventures.
• Fashion Designing (Tailoring): Fashion is a practical, low-capital skill with high demand. Tailoring enables youths—especially women and persons with disabilities—to earn steady income, achieve independence, and escape the cycle of poverty.

THE BEGINNING: OUR STORY

9ja Food Fiesta began as a simple but powerful idea—to fight hunger. Our earliest efforts involved sharing food on the streets of Abuja, reaching out to those who had little or nothing to eat. As we engaged with people, we realized that while food brought temporary relief, it did not solve the deeper problem. Hunger would return if there was no source of income.

That realization marked a turning point. We chose to teach people how to fish instead of giving them fish. What started as street feeding evolved into structured empowerment programs. We expanded into training in Culinary Arts, ICT, Agriculture, and Fashion Design, equipping beneficiaries with skills they could immediately use to earn a living.

HOW FAR WE HAVE COME

From our humble beginnings in Abuja, 9ja Food Fiesta has grown steadily and impactfully. We have successfully carried out empowerment programs in Abuja, Kano, and Katsina, and we are currently finalizing our program in Jigawa State. Each state represents lives touched, skills learned, businesses started, and families lifted closer to stability.

Today, 9ja Food Fiesta stands as a proof to what is possible when compassion meets action. Our journey continues with hope, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to building a Nigeria where fewer people go hungry and more youths are empowered to thrive.