Before most alarms ring in Alagomeji, Iyawo is already awake not out of obligation, but out of rhythm. A rhythm that’s been shaped by over 20 years of dedication to her daily trade: preparing Ewa Oloyin (Honey Beans), the base of the iconic Ewa Aganyi, over coal and using time-tested technique.
At 4:30 a.m., she begins her day. She sweeps her stall, fetches water, sets her coal in place. By 5:00 a.m., the first batch of honey beans is already cooking. No pressure cookers. No shortcuts. Just raw ingredients, heat, and care.
By 7:30 a.m., the air is filled with the aroma of rich, bubbling beans. Her firewood pot does what only tradition can do, draw in a crowd. Customers are already gathering, containers in hand, ready to start their day with one of the best Ewa Aganyi spots in Lagos.
What’s Cooking?
Iyawo’s roadside setup in Noble Street, Alagomeji, Lagos serves up a legendary Ewa Aganyi combo:
- Ewa Aganyi: Slow-cooked honey beans with a rich, deep flavor
- Signature pepper sauce: Smoky, spicy and unforgettable
- Peppered eja kika, soft pomo, fried plantain, and boiled yam
- Soft agege bread (sold next door by her neighbor)
She doesn’t need a signboard. Her food speaks for itself. When locals talk about ewa aganyi in Yaba, Iyawo’s name comes up often. She’s built her reputation through flavor, consistency, and over two decades of community service.
One of Alagomeji’s Quiet Legends
There are many incredible food women across Alagomeji, but Iyawo has carved out her own corner of history. Her setup is simple, a wooden table, blackened pots, plastic bowls in crates but her rhythm is unmatched.
She’s served generations of families; from school kids to working adults many of whom still return for the taste of her beans, the fire of her sauce, and the warmth of her service.
What she’s created isn’t just a food stall. It’s a local landmark. A ritual. A safe, steady presence in a fast-changing city.
Why We’re Telling Her Story
At Wangaraufoods, we’re committed to spotlighting women whose hands feed Nigeria women who might never trend online, but whose food holds homes, hearts, and history together.
Iyawo’s ewa aganyi is more than a meal. It’s a story and we believe it’s one worth telling.
This is what Wangarau Spotlights is about: celebrating community, culture, and consistency.
What’s Next?
Through our upcoming Wangarau Academy, we’ll continue to support women like Iyawo with:
- Visibility and recognition
- Access to training and business support
- Packaging, branding, and food hygiene assistance
- Micro-funding and small grants
Because they don’t just cook. They feed families, create jobs, and nurture entire communities.
Want to Try Her Ewa Aganyi?
Call 07011146279 to order. Visit her stall at No. 15 Noble Street, Alagomeji, Lagos
Please note: Customers must make their own pickup arrangements.
Know a woman like Iyawo who deserves to be featured?
Send us a message, we would love to tell her story.
Follow the Wangarau Spotlights Series as we continue to highlight real food women across Lagos, Abuja, and beyond.
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Iyawo’s story is so inspiring! 20 years of dedication to Ewa Aganyi is no small feat. It’s amazing to see women like her preserving our food culture and building community through something as powerful as food. Thank you, Wangarau Foods, for spotlighting her!