The Story⚡
In the steamy kitchens of 1990s Lagos, where the sizzle of egusi met the rhythm of highlife beats, a sassy Yoruba proverb leaped from proverb to prime time: “Sokoyokoto… Olobe lo loko!” – the wife who cooks commands the farm (and her man’s heart), a program anchored by Foluso Ogunjimi. Thirty years later, this cheeky celebrity cooking showdown is still dishing out nostalgia hotter than fresh pounded yam.
Tell Me More
“Sokoyokoto”, a groundbreaking show that turned celebrity egos into edible art on Lagos Television (LTV), started in 1995. Hosted by the effervescent Foluso Ogunjimi – better known as “Sokoyokoto” herself – the program was more than just recipes; it was a cultural feast wrapped in laughter, proverbs, and unfiltered star power. Sponsored by kitchen staples like Royco and Maggi, episodes featured Nollywood heavyweights like Lateef Adedimeji sweating over jollof rice or Laide Bakare battling a stubborn batch of ewedu, all while Foluso bantered in flawless Yoruba, dropping wisdom like “Olobe lo loko” – a nod to the timeless idea that a woman’s culinary prowess keeps the home (and husband) hooked.
What made “Sokoyokoto” sizzle wasn’t just the food; it was the vibe. Celebrities didn’t just cook – they performed, turning the studio into a mini-party with dances, games, and live audiences howling at mishaps (remember Funsho Adeolu’s infamous semo flop?).
Today, as Sokoyokoto hits the 30-year mark, it’s a testament to resilience. From 90s black-and-white broadcasts to HD revivals, it has outlasted fads, feeding not just bellies but souls with lessons in culture, community, and the unbeatable allure of a well-seasoned life. In an era of TikTok tutorials, Foluso’s legacy reminds us: True flavor comes from heart, hustle, and a dash of proverb.
7 Things You Didn’t Know About “Sokoyokoto” and Its Anchor
- The title draws from the Yoruba saying “Olobe lo loko, sokoyokoto,” literally “the cook goes to the farm,” but it’s a cheeky metaphor for how killer home cooking secures a man’s loyalty – a theme Foluso wove into every episode like hidden spice.
- As Nigeria’s first major celebrity cooking show in the 1990s, it predated global hits like MasterChef by years, blending Nollywood drama with kitchen chaos and influencing an entire genre of feel-good food TV.
- Before mic-drop moments, Foluso Ogunjimi penned her final-year thesis at Obafemi Awolowo University (then University of Ife) on traditional Yoruba marriages – knowledge that later fueled her shift from TV host to wedding MC extraordinaire.
- She wasn’t a salaried star at LTV; for 12 years, Foluso was a “pay-as-you-go” artist, juggling newsreading, weather forecasts, and Sokoyokoto gigs – a grind that honed her quick-witted on-air persona.
- Unlike typical station-bound shows, Sokoyokoto was fully independent, produced outside LTV and syndicated across channels like TVC and OGTV, giving it a nomadic reach that built its nationwide fanbase.
- The 2022 comeback split episodes into “Cook-Off” (Flour Mills-sponsored Yoruba classics) and “Party Vibes” (Seven Up-fueled dances and contests), with celebs like Ireti Osayemi turning up the heat – literally and figuratively.
- Post-TV, Foluso founded Alarede Engagement Academy, training over 200 aspiring MCs (from teens to PhD holders) in cultural etiquette – turning her “Sokoyokoto” charisma into a movement that’s exported “Alaga pros” to the UK, US, and Canada.
Watch Here
In Summary
“Sokoyokoto” isn’t just a show – it’s the spicy heartbeat of Yoruba TV, proving for 30 years that good cooking, like good stories, binds us forever. “Olobe lo loko, Sokoyokoto; O ti lo wa ju”: Cook well, live boldly, love deeply.
Thanks for Reading.
Shockng.com covers the big creators and players in the African film/TV industry and how they do business.
Let’s be friends on Instagram @Shockafrica
