Former NFL player, sports analyst, and television host Akbar Gbajabiamila has sparked widespread excitement online after boldly declaring that Nigeria serves the best coffee in the entire world. Speaking during a recent episode of the One54 Africa podcast—a platform he co-hosts with veteran comedian Godfrey Danchimah to spotlight untold African stories—Akbar opened up about his first family trip back to Nigeria in twenty years, highly praising the country’s booming, modern hospitality scene. The American Ninja Warrior and CBS’ The Talk co-host revealed that his exploration of Nigeria’s growing coffee culture completely blew him away, confidently stating that the brews he tasted can easily rival any elite coffee shop across the globe.
Akbar specifically gave a massive shoutout to Mai Shayi Coffee Roasters, a popular Abuja-based specialty coffee house heavily inspired by the rich, traditional tea and beverage culture of Northern Nigeria, as a shining example of the phenomenal standard coming out of the country. The former athlete’s viral endorsement has strongly resonated with foodies and content creators, reigniting passionate conversations about Nigeria’s untapped agricultural potential beyond its massive cocoa production. While the country is rarely the first name mentioned by global coffee critics, coffee cultivation is quietly thriving in rich high-altitude zones across Taraba, Plateau, and Cross River states, and supporters hope that Akbar’s glowing global spotlight will attract deeper investments to firmly position homegrown Nigerian specialty beans on the competitive international stage.
