Asiya Ashiru Abubakar: A Rising Star among Nigerian Food Content Creators

For Asiya, cooking has always been more than just preparing meals; it’s an expression of love and heritage. Raised in a household where food was central, she learned from her father, an enthusiastic home cook who often called her into the kitchen to help. "As a child, my dad would invite me to chop onions or stir a pot while he cooked," she recalls. "I wasn’t always eager to cook, but I enjoyed the time spent with him."

Asiya describes herself as a "lazy cook,"

“I only cook when I want to cook.”

Despite her claim, she loves cooking for her loved ones. She views cooking as her love language.

Asiya’s first experience creating content was far from smooth. The first recipe she filmed for her platform was fried potatoes. She didn’t know how to use a camera or tripod properly, and what should have been a simple video took almost two hours to make!

Even the first time she cooked for herself ended up being equally memorable, but not for a good reason. She recalls how the first meal she ever cooked was rice, and it turned out extremely salty! Although this annoyed her, giving up was not her thing. So she tried cooking rice the next day, and that turned out to be perfect.

Asiya credits her father as her biggest influence.

"He taught me how to cook, supported me financially when I needed ingredients, and even shared recipes with me. He was always my number one supporter."

Asiya also mentioned finding inspiration in the works of Nigerian food influencers such as Chef Tolani, who runs the popular blog Diary of a Kitchen Lover. Tolani’s work motivated her to keep pushing forward in the food content space.

The beginning of Asiya’s creator journey was tough. She would put her efforts and hard work day in and day out, but she struggled to get likes and followers in her initial days. This lack of reassurance would often make her question if she was wasting her time.

Despite the doubts, Asiya kept going. Eventually, people started noticing her good work. Now, her videos regularly reach thousands, and she garners worldwide attention for her amazing recipes.

Asiya starts out with an idea that comes to her. As soon as inspiration hits, she makes sure to pen it down. Then, she reviews the recipes a few times to see all possible changes and additions they can have. Once she is satisfied with the recipe, she heads to the market to get the ingredients.

Her family plays a crucial role in her process as her personal team of taste-testers. If they love it, that’s a sign Asiya knows that her audience will love it too. If not, she tweaks the recipe until it’s just right.

Asiya’s most popular recipe to date is her Greek yoghurt, which went viral on Instagram, earning massive engagement and rave reviews. Another fan favorite is her milk donuts, which gained traction on TikTok, with people still messaging her about how much they love the recipe.

Asiya’s reach has gone far beyond Nigeria. Her content introduces people worldwide to Nigerian cuisine, breaking cultural barriers through food.

Delicious Puff Puff recipe shared by Asiya on her Instagram

“I'm so happy to be one of those creators who change the lives of people in small but significant ways.”

Asiya advises new creators to start gradually and not panic about the numbers initially. As someone who has been there, she understands the initial days can be really challenging and heartbreaking, but consistent efforts are bound to get one where they want to be.

“Be yourself. Don’t try to replicate your favourite creators, and don’t rush the process. Start small and stay consistent.”

"I want my own kitchen—a large, fully-equipped space where I can create freely. I also plan to attend culinary school and earn a chef’s certification."

Asiya is positive and geared up to honing her skills as she hopes to expand her YouTube channel and launch her own line of cookware.

It is easy to be swayed by the charm of influencer life and then be disheartened from the struggles it comes with. But if you truly want something, its yours to take. Asiya Ashiru Abubakar is the living proof of this saying. Her passion and drive for her craft has placed her among the most influential Nigerian food content creators. We look forward to see her grow and achieve all her dreams.

Updated on 10 Dec 2025