With meat widely perceived as either a luxury or reward of any meal for most people, it’s not shocking that veganism is a relatively alien concept to the average Nigerian. However, a growing number of people are gradually making the switch to a plant-based diet. For context, vegan means any food or meal prepared without components produced by or gotten from animals like meat, dairy products, eggs, seafood and honey. In a nutshell, veganism steers clear of any food connected with animal exploitation.
Why Some Nigerians Choose Veganism
For former OAP Ifeoluwa Omai, the decision to tread the vegan path came after watching the What The Health documentary. She said the video educated her on the effect of animal products on our bodies and the environment, and animal cruelty.
Vegan blogger and Youtuber, Tomi Makanjuola also went vegan for health reasons. “I would say the main reasons that I decided to go vegan at the time, was primarily for my health, just wanting to feel more energized, wanting to experience more wholesome health, right. And then on top of that, I was beginning to do some research into animal agriculture, the way our food is produced. And just seeing the inconsistencies in the animal cruelty. All of those things all tied together, sort of convinced me that current vegan was something that aligned with my values and my ethics,” she said.
Then there are some people like food entrepreneur Elizabeth Ekwenye, who tried but failed to stick to the vegan lifestyle. After resorting to veganism because she wanted to lose weight, she quit after a week because she could not resist the urge to eat protein anymore. This is often a major issue for people who have attempted veganism. They simply can not overcome the urge to eat protein so they fall back to their old protein-eating lifestyle.
When you have spent most of your life eating animal products, going vegan may or may not be an easy route to follow and it all depends on how much of a meat-lover the person is. This is why Tomi said, “it is important that everyone who considers this looks into the nutritional aspect and understands what their body needs so that you’re not missing out. It’s not something to take lightly. I think with any dietary choice that you’re making, it’s good to always examine it, and ensure that it’s good for your body.”
The Issue With Being Vegan In A Pro-Meat Society Like Nigeria
Sticking to a vegan lifestyle in Nigeria can be quite a struggle considering the fact that many Nigerian supermarkets and grocery stores offer limited, expensive options for vegan food. Ifeoluwa and Tomi both noted that Spar and Shoprite are the two main options for anyone looking for a wide variety of vegan products, adding that people can also find vegan items at the food market.
When it comes to eating out, there are a handful of vegan restaurants in Nigeria though they are not as prominent as regular restaurants. If available, vegan options at restaurants are often more expensive than the regular selection. Veggie Victory is the first vegan and vegetarian restaurant in Nigeria and one of the very few vegan eateries available.
The majority of the finest fast-food joints in Nigeria are not inclusive of vegan items in their menus making it difficult for vegans to patronize them. Ifeoluwa mentioned Pinkberry as one of the very few restaurants that cater to vegans. “They have vegan options for yogurt where they don’t have any milk,” she said.
Eating out, in general, is a hassle since restaurants are not the only non-vegan-friendly spots in Nigeria. Parties and weddings do not also cater for vegans. At events that don’t provide buffet service, we see waiters and waitresses roam around the venue with a tray of already served food that comes with protein. The meat-eating culture is shoved down vegan’s throats and the option of not eating meat is taken away from them. A lot of vegans in these situations end up waiting until they get home or taking out the protein. As Ifeoluwa pointed out, “Culturally, we don’t have that many meals that are not vegan, you just need to remove the meat.”
Apart from the eating out and shopping struggles, there is also the ignorance and stigma attached to veganism. In her experience, Ifeoluwa has found that people believe veganism is ridiculous, weak, and something for only white people. In her words, “they don’t know what it means. They confuse it for pescetarianism or vegetarianism. No one is educated”.
Podcaster Sharon Jre believes Nigerians are very misinformed about veganism. She mentioned that when she is at a restaurant with her friends, her friends tease her about eating ‘grass’. The word ‘grass’ is commonly used to taunt vegans since most people assume that once you don’t eat meat, you eat vegetables, salad, all classified as grass.
Temitayo Obayomi, a student at the University of Lagos, has received weird looks from people when they see him eat his food without meat or fish. He has also heard people making weird assumptions about the reason for his diet with some concluding that he must have a spiritual problem that stops him from eating meat.
Social Media To The Rescue
Trying to go against the norm can feel very isolating, which is why some Nigerians often turn to social media for food options, validation, and community. Ifeoluwa credits social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest for helping her discover interesting vegan dishes. Tomi does her best to help her community feel less alone with her blog where she shares recipes, cookbooks, resources, and tips for people who grew up eating protein to show Nigerians that they can still enjoy their favorite local delicacies without giving up on anything. She also has a Youtube channel and blog where she creates cooking recipes, tips, and online workshops for vegans.
However, Temitayo does not depend on social media to cook. He said he eats what everyone else eats while ensuring that his food does not come with protein. He also added that he grew up eating some food that his mother made and that is how he survives.
Does Veganism Have A Future In Nigeria?
While veganism continues to thrive across the world especially during this ongoing pandemic, predicting the growth and relevance of veganism in the future is not feasible. With Nigeria’s terrible economy and inflation, trying to live the vegan lifestyle here is not attainable for the average Nigerian since the few, available vegan items in supermarkets or restaurants can be quite expensive. According to Ifeoluwa, “it’s kind of hard to live out your veganism but there are a lot of people that do. There are people who can give you meal plans for the week but they are pricey.” Our research showed that it’s mostly a lifestyle growing among people with more than enough money to spend. We did speak to some people who are willing to try veganism in the future hoping they would be able to afford the lifestyle in a few years. In this age where technology is relevant and education is on social media, young people may just be the vanguard of veganism in Nigeria.