October is Black History Month in the UK, and on the 3rd, it’s also Nigerian Independence Day. What better way to celebrate both than with authentic Nigerian food and a bit of karaoke? I spent that Friday night in Peckham doing exactly that.
Meet The Flygerians – two sisters with larger-than-life personalities, and I’m lucky enough to call them close friends. If you ever get the chance to meet them, you’ll instantly understand why their food tastes the way it does: bold, spicy, and completely addictive – just like them.
On this particular evening, the girls were promoting their partnership with Supermalt Stout, which is the boozy version of the beloved Nigerian barley drink. At 7.7% a bottle, it’s not for the faint-hearted (and yes, I proudly made it through 2.5 bottles). It paired beautifully with my go-to order:
• Sweet Agege Bread: soft, slightly sweet Nigerian bread served with a side of unapologetically garlicky butter.
• Fly Wings: chicken wings coated in their signature forbidden sauce – deliciously sweet with just the right kick.
• Jollof Box: some of the best jollof rice you’ll find (in my humble opinion), topped with beef suya – diced, peppered steak with onions and peppers. Warning: it’s hot! Served, of course, with sweet fried plantain.
If you’re skipping the alcohol, grab a Nigerian Fanta in a glass bottle – it’s a brighter, bolder orange than the UK version, and it tastes infinitely better. And if you’ve still got room for dessert, don’t miss the Chin’offee Pie – their playful twist on banoffee pie, with a biscuity base made from chin chin, a classic Nigerian fried snack.
Yes, they’re my friends, but don’t just take my word for it. There’s a reason The Flygerians have built such a loyal following. Jimi Famurewa gave them glowing reviews in The Evening Standard, Top Jaw featured them on Instagram, Keith Lee shouted them out on TikTok – and if you’re a Sunday Brunch regular, you’ve probably seen them pop up there too.
The variety of food and culture in the UK is one of its best qualities, and The Flygerians embody that beautifully. They bring Nigerian hospitality – and a bit of sunshine – straight to our grey British doorsteps. Their positivity is infectious, their food unforgettable.
As a Flygerian would say: “Chop life before life chops you!”