Final-year student from a Nigerian university has left many of his classmates both surprised and amused after choosing a bizarre mix of drinks and food to celebrate his sign-out party. Rather than serving the usual party delicacies, the student opted for an unusual combination of garri, the staple Nigerian meal, mixed with Azul (blue curaçao), barley drink, and various condiments.
Garri, a beloved food in many Nigerian homes, is commonly soaked in water and eaten with a variety of soups and sides. However, this particular student took it to another level, opting to add the high-end, alcoholic drink Azul, commonly known for its vibrant blue color and sweet, strong taste, to the garri. While garri is typically enjoyed with water or milk, the introduction of alcohol, especially an expensive one like Azul, was a mix that many could not comprehend.
Students at the scene were initially stunned, and some were caught off guard when they saw the student pour the Azul drink into the garri. One of the students, in disbelief, was overheard saying, “E don dooo, he should not pour all that expensive drink into the garri!” Others were seen holding their heads in a mixture of shock and laughter, unsure of how to react to the unusual food choice.
The students’ reactions captured the essence of the event, as they struggled to understand the student’s reasoning behind mixing such a luxurious drink with garri. Azul, a popular alcoholic drink, is known for being quite pricey and is not usually associated with traditional Nigerian meals like garri. The addition of barley drink, another local favorite, only added to the oddity of the mix.
In Nigerian culture, sign-out parties are a significant event in the lives of graduating students. It’s a time when final-year students celebrate the end of their academic journey and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. These parties often feature food, drinks, and music to mark the occasion. However, it’s not common to see students stray far from traditional food choices.
The student’s decision to serve garri soaked in Azul and barley drink has sparked much conversation. While many were surprised by the choice of ingredients, it has also raised some eyebrows and provoked laughter among students. For many, garri, a simple dish made from cassava, has been a part of their daily meals from childhood. To see it paired with an expensive alcoholic drink was a novel experience that no one at the party will likely forget anytime soon.
The reactions from the students were mixed, with some laughing off the unusual pairing while others seemed genuinely curious. “E don dooo,” one student exclaimed as the Azul was poured into the garri, symbolizing the disbelief many felt. The Azul drink, being an expensive beverage, is not typically something Nigerians associate with local food like garri. For some, the expense of the drink added to the humour, as they questioned whether the drink was truly worth it when mixed with such a humble meal.
However, the event became a topic of laughter and conversation. Some students even posted about it on social media, with jokes about how the garri and Azul combo would go down in history as one of the most unique Nigerian party moments. The spectacle also highlighted the creative lengths to which some students will go to make their final celebrations memorable, even if that means stepping outside the boundaries of tradition.
While many laughed at the strange pairing, there were also a few who saw the humor and creativity in the student’s approach. “It’s different, and it will definitely be remembered,” one of the attendees said, noting that the mix was a fun and unexpected way to end a chapter of university life. Some students appreciated the party’s uniqueness and were simply grateful for the entertainment it provided.
Although garri has long been a symbol of Nigerian culture, its use in this unusual manner prompted some students to ask if such a blend of drinks and food could become a tradition for future university sign-out parties. However, given the strong reactions it received, it seems unlikely that this combination will become a widely accepted norm. Most students will likely stick to the usual party food items, such as fried rice, jollof rice, and grilled chicken, at their celebrations.
While the bizarre combination of garri and Azul will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come, it also raises questions about the willingness of young people to experiment with food and drink. Some might argue that the student was simply trying to make his party stand out, while others may feel that the mix was an unnecessary risk to take, especially with such an expensive drink.
For many Nigerians, garri represents simplicity and resilience — it’s a dish that has been a part of the country’s food culture for generations, often served as a humble meal for the working class. To pair this with a high-end drink like Azul is a stark contrast and a reminder of the growing trend among young people to incorporate luxury or trendy items into their everyday lives. Whether or not this type of fusion will gain popularity remains to be seen, but it certainly sparked conversations, and for this student, that might have been the point.
This unusual party moment might serve as a spark for new ideas and trends among university students. Though some might dismiss the garri and Azul combination as a one-time fluke, the growing trend of pushing boundaries at sign-out parties shows that students are always looking for new ways to stand out and make their events unforgettable. Whether this trend will catch on with other students remains uncertain, but it is clear that the student’s unique choice will be remembered for years to come.