Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday, 14 September 2026, came alive as Golden Penny Semovita, a flagship brand under Flour Mills of Nigeria, hosted the Golden Penny Soup Festival Ibadan, attracting food lovers, families, and entertainment seekers for a colourful celebration of Nigerian cuisine, culture, and community bonding.
The event transformed the iconic stadium into a lively cultural hub where attendees experienced a mix of food exhibitions, competitions, masterclasses, and live performances, all centred around celebrating the richness of Nigerian soups and shared family traditions.
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Chiaka Eluchie, Category Manager, Ball Foods, highlighted the strategic vision behind the festival, noting that consumer insights played a key role in shaping the experience.
“Golden Penny Semovita is an Owambe brand. It’s a brand that sits in all situations, be it your birthday, your wedding,” Chiaka Eluchie said, underscoring the brand’s connection to everyday Nigerian celebrations.
The Golden Penny Soup Festival Ibadan placed strong emphasis on family engagement, with organisers designing activities that catered to both adults and children.
From cooking competitions to interactive games, the festival created a vibrant environment that encouraged participation and cultural appreciation.
A major highlight of the event was the food arena, where a wide range of Nigerian soups including Egusi, Afang, Edikaikong, Ogbono, Ewedu, Gbegiri and Bitter Leaf were served alongside Golden Penny Semovita, reinforcing its reputation as a staple in Nigerian households.
The experience celebrated not only taste but also the cultural identity embedded in local cuisine.
Entertainment played a central role in the festival’s success, with hosts Kiekie and MC Password energising the crowd throughout the day.
As the evening progressed, Nigerian music star Wande Coal delivered a power-packed performance that drew loud cheers and sustained excitement across the stadium.
Beyond food and entertainment, the festival also featured the Golden Penny Semovita Museum, which traced the product’s six-decade journey.
The exhibition offered visitors a nostalgic and educational experience, showcasing the brand’s evolution and its role in Nigerian culinary history.
Learning was another key pillar of the event, with masterclasses led by chefs including Gina Ehikodi Ojo, MealsbyAbi, Chef Polan and Adeola.
These sessions explored food creativity, entrepreneurship and practical cooking skills, providing attendees with knowledge that extended beyond the festival grounds.
Secondary attractions included recreational activities such as snooker, chess, video games, tennis, Ludo, as well as dance and cooking competitions.
A dedicated children’s zone ensured younger attendees were fully engaged, making the festival a truly family-inclusive experience.
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The Golden Penny Soup Festival Ibadan ultimately stood out as a powerful blend of food, culture, entertainment and education, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to deepening consumer connection through shared cultural experiences.
