Popular TikToker and content creator, Peller, has spoken out about the glaring issue of hunger in Nigeria, triggered by the recent viral event organized by Nigerian celebrity chef, Hilda Baci, where she cooked the world’s largest pot of Nigerian-style Jollof rice. Peller’s observations shed light on the lengths to which Nigerians are going just to get a portion of food, highlighting deeper socio-economic concerns in the country.
In a video shared on the social media platform X, Peller recounted how his friend, Taiwo, traveled all the way from Ikorodu to Lagos Island specifically to collect food from Hilda Baci’s massive cooking event. The content creator emphasized that the situation made him reflect on the widespread hunger affecting ordinary citizens.
Peller said in the video: “That Hilda Baci’s cooking event [made me realise] Nigerians is (sic) very hungry. E get one of my friend that time, from Ikorodu him come Hilda Baci’s cooking event, I swear to God. I said, Taiwo, your life has bended. And that guy I dey always how him love o. I don’t know how his life take reach like that…” His statement resonated with many online as it highlighted both the hunger and determination of people to access food in large-scale events.
The event, held on September 12, 2025, at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, attracted food enthusiasts, celebrities, and dignitaries including Nollywood actress Funke Akindele, acclaimed dancer Kaffy, and Ogun State First Lady, Bamidele Abiodun. Hilda Baci’s feat garnered national and international attention due to her attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the largest pot of Jollof rice ever cooked, reinforcing her status as one of Nigeria’s most celebrated culinary figures.
Many attendees and fans flooded the streets to get a taste of the massive Jollof rice pot, showing support for the record attempt and contributing to the massive public turnout. Videos and posts circulating on social media revealed long queues and the distribution of hundreds of plates, illustrating how the event quickly turned into both a culinary spectacle and a moment highlighting food scarcity challenges.
Netizens responded to Peller’s observation with a mix of humor and commentary about the broader implications. @LaughNLearnX remarked: “Peller is just creating content. Just the transport from Ikorodu to the Island alone…..” while @abusum45 joked: “He friend dey come collect maggi. He’s not even ashamed to say it.” Others, like @OluwaseunO17224, offered more critical takes: “I am not disputing the fact that people were not hungry but if truly people were really hungry the way they’re projecting it the rice we not have gotten to the next morning.” Meanwhile, @Adeolabioyee shared a lighter perspective: “We came there to have fun, I bought Amoke oge jollof rice before going to the event….. make this one shut the fuck up jare. We went there to support her…. I left with 4 packs of jollof rice shaaa.”
Peller’s commentary and the viral event have sparked broader conversations about hunger, food distribution, and social responsibility in Nigeria, as well as the lengths to which people will go to access food during publicized culinary events. His reflections served as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by many Nigerians in securing basic sustenance, even amid festive and celebratory settings like record-breaking cooking events.
Watch the full video below for Peller’s commentary on the hunger situation in Nigeria as highlighted by Hilda Baci’s Jollof rice event …
“Hilda Baci’s Jollof Rice event made me realise how hungry Nigerians are. My friend came all the way from Ikorodu to that event because he wanted to collect maggi”
– Peller pic.twitter.com/RtJJCriGJx
— OLAMIDE 🌸💖 (@Olamide0fficial) September 15, 2025