Anambra social media personality, media scholar and former political aide to Governor Willie Obiano has revealed why he set up a restaurant, Nlacha-Aka Grills in Abuja.
The Ozo title holder from Enugwu-Ukwu, a town in Njikoka Local Government Area, with the title name – Ezeudo Enugwu-Ukwu na Umunri said he did so to honour his late mother, who ran a chain of restaurants in Aba, Abia State.
He said: “I founded Nlacha-Aka Grills in Abuja to honour my late mother, Iruezigbo, who ran a thriving chain of restaurants (Amaka Restaurant) in Aba. It was a family restaurant with roots stretching back to 1976 when she opened her very first outlet. I was only in primary school then, but I often helped out with my siblings, serving customers and learning the ropes. That’s how I imbibed the customer service culture. I have tried to transfer this to my staff letting them know that customers are at the heart of what we do. We will never serve customers food that we cannot eat.
Opening Nlacha-Aka has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. My siblings and I grew up inside the restaurant world. Every one of us understands food, the kitchen, and the hustle that goes with running a restaurant. My mother, despite having no formal education, was a brilliant entrepreneur. Her hard work funded our university education and even our studies abroad. I learnt some of my most valuable life lessons from her. Every day I step into Nlacha-Aka, I feel her presence—guiding, inspiring, and encouraging me.
We launched in Abuja in November 2025, and our vision is to grow Nlacha-Aka into a franchise with branches in cities across Nigeria.
Our niche is soulful, traditional Igbo cuisine made from Mama’s original recipes and served fresh—never from the fridge. All our meals are prepared fresh. Our specialties include flame-grilled plantain and yam, a variety of fish dishes, native rice, isi-ewu, rich local soups, and more.
We also want Nlacha-Aka to be a meeting point—a place where our people in Abuja, residents and visitors alike, can connect, feel at home, and experience true Igbo hospitality.
We are located at People’s Shopping Complex, 9 Jere Street, Near Rita Lori Hotel, Garki- Abuja. We are on Facebook and Instagram as @Nlacha-Aka. For deliveries within Abuja, call +2347078186252 +2349011558607.
Ozonkpu Chief Uche Nworah, Ph.D (Founder, Nlacha-Aka
