The Woman Behind the Morning Pot
Every morning on McCullum Street, while the streets of Ebute-Metta hum with early sounds of bus horns, footsteps and market chatter, Iya Ikimat stands behind her small cooking table, the same spot she has manned faithfully for years.
To most passersby, she’s simply “Iya Ikimat” the woman who sells cooked yam, noodles and fried egg but to her regulars, she’s part of the morning rhythm — a familiar face, a comforting aroma and a start to the day.
“Na every day I dey here. Seven o’clock, I don start,” she says with a quiet smile. “People wey dey go work, dem no fit pass without chop”
A Morning Built on Routine and Heart
Her mornings begin long before the first pot bubbles. By 7:00 a.m., she’s already busy peeling her Yam, cutting them into even chunks, and washing each piece in clean water. It’s a ritual she’s perfected over time; one that shows her discipline and care.
Once her gas burner flickers to life, the sound of water boiling and yam softening fills the air. She doesn’t rush the process. Good yam, she says, must be soft but firm, with natural sweetness.
While the yam cooks, she chops onions, cracks eggs, and blends fresh chili pepper — the soul of her yam sauce. The scent of fried pepper and egg quickly spreads across the street, drawing in familiar customers: Okada riders, traders, artisans and office workers.
Some take their food to go. Others sit around her with the chairs provided for a few minutes, eating, talking about life, sports, traffic and politics.
That’s how her mornings go; full of movement, conversation, and the quiet satisfaction of work well done.
The Food That Fuels a Community
What makes Iya Ikimat’s cooking stand out is its honesty. There’s no elaborate setup or fancy menu — just food made with patience, balance and care.
- Cooked Yam — soft, sweet, and perfectly boiled
- Fried Egg — light and fluffy with crisp edges
- Cooked Noodles — seasoned, saucy and satisfying
- Yam Sauce — her signature mix of tomato, pepper and onion
She knows her customers by face, some have been eating her food for years. A few even joke that their day doesn’t start until they’ve “seen Iya Ikimat.” That kind of loyalty isn’t bought. It’s built — one meal at a time.
Her Journey: From Home Cook to Street Icon
Before she became known around McCullum Street, Iya Ikimat started small, cooking from home for neighbors and friends. Her passion for feeding people grew naturally. She saw how a simple plate of food could lift someone’s spirit, fuel their work, or bring comfort after a long day.
As the orders increased, she moved her setup to the roadside. That decision changed her life.
“I just tell myself say make I try am outside. From that day, people begin come steady. Even rain no dey stop dem,” she says, laughing softly.
Now, years later, her little stand has become a morning landmark, a place people depend on. She doesn’t have a big shop, but what she has is more valuable: trust, taste, and a bond with her community.
Beyond Food — A Story of Strength
Like many women who run small food businesses across Lagos, Iya Ikimat’s story is one of resilience. The work is physical. The hours are long. The profit margins are thin. Yet she shows up — every single day.
She handles her own supply, ensuring she gets the best yam, the freshest eggs and quality peppers and even when gas prices rise or rain threatens to flood her corner, she adapts — never letting the circumstances dull her spirit.
There’s a quiet pride in her work. You see it in the way she arranges her plates, in how she checks the yam’s softness before serving, and in the joy she feels when someone says, “Madam, your food sweet o.”
Why Wangaraufoods Is Telling Her Story
At Wangaraufoods, we believe stories like Iya Ikimat’s deserve to be seen and celebrated. Behind every plate of food sold on Lagos streets are hands that nurture, hearts that hustle, and histories that matter.
She may not have social media fame or a shopfront with her name, but every morning, she feeds dozens of people and that is a legacy worth honoring.
Her story represents what Wangaraufoods stands for — community, culture, and care.
The Wangarau Academy Promise
Through our upcoming Wangarau Academy, we aim to empower more women like Iya Ikimat by offering:
Visibility and recognition for their craft
Training in food hygiene and safe preparation
Support in packaging and branding
Micro-funding to grow and sustain their business
Because when women like Iya Ikimat succeed, communities thrive
Want to Try Her Cooked Yam?
Call 09114826008 or 09135922414 to order.
Visit her stall at: McCullum Street, off Herbert Macaulay Way, Ebute-Metta, Lagos
Please note: Customers must make their own pickup arrangements
Know a woman like Iya Ikimat 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
