Nigeria’s Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gaffed on CNN Friday when he said the best jollof rice is prepared in Senegal, weakening Nigeria’s bragging right to having the best jollof.

Responding to a question about which country makes the best Jollof rice, the minister said: “I want to say probably Senegal,” Nigeria’s This Day reported.

Mr Richard Quest was later to clarify that the Minister misunderstood his question to mean which country jollof rice originated from, adding “That was why he answered Senegal,”

However, the damage was already done, as social media would not let Lai Mohammed off the hook over his faux pas.

Jollof rice is a delicacy that is common among most countries in West Africa and in recent time there have been debate on the social media platforms about the country in the region that makes the best Jollof rice in Ghana, Nigeria and
Senegal have engaged in what some have described as the Jollof war with unending competition as to which of the countries prepares the best jollof rice.

According to This Day, Quest may have been prompted to ask the question because of the raging debate.

Quest who had earlier expressed surprise at the minister’s response, however clarified that the minister misunderstood his question to mean “where did Jollof rice originate from,” which according to him was why he answered, Senegal.

However, the minister’s gaffe was clearly apparent and drew the ire of the social media, as the video went viral, with many lambasting the minister.

Nigeria’s Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed image below