American YouTube star iShowSpeed has once again made headlines during his visit to Nigeria, boldly declaring that Nigerian Jollof rice is superior to that of Senegal in a statement that has ignited fresh debate online.
Darren Jason Watkins Jr, popularly known as iShowSpeed, arrived in Nigeria’s bustling commercial hub, Lagos, on 21 January 2026 as part of his ambitious “Speed Does Africa” livestream tour, which began on 29 December 2025 and is set to take him through 20 African countries in 28 days.
While celebrating his 21st birthday and reaching a milestone of 50 million YouTube subscribers during his Nigeria stop, iShowSpeed sampled a range of local experiences, including the country’s famed cuisine. After trying Nigerian jollof rice, he emphatically stated that it was the best he had tasted, going so far as to claim it outshines the Senegalese version of the beloved West African dish.
“Nigeria has the best Jollof rice Nigeria Jollof rice taste better than Senegal Jollof rice”, iShowSpeed said.
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The comment has reignited the long-standing jollof rice rivalry between West African nations and sparked lively reaction across social media, with fans and food enthusiasts weighing in on the fiery debate.
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While supporters of Nigerian cuisine have welcomed the endorsement from the global influencer, others have questioned the comparison, noting taste preferences are subjective.
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