A towering African spinach plant measuring 9.5 feet has been discovered in Ikoro-Ekiti, Ekiti State, drawing significant scientific interest and attention from the tourism sector.
Locally known as Efo Tete, the unusually tall specimen, believed to be the tallest of its kind ever recorded in Africa, was found growing in the backyard of Mr Lawrence Ajolokan, a farmer in the Eso-Obe Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Lagos on Friday by Mr Wale Ojo-Lanre, Director-General of the Ekiti State Tourism Development Bureau.
“This is not just a plant, it is a potential world record holder, a scientific marvel, and a tourism attraction all in one,” Ojo-Lanre said.
Ajolokan explained that he planted the spinach in June 2024 and had harvested portions of it, except for one stalk, which he left untouched following a peculiar instinct that urged him not to weed or cut it.
The untouched stalk has since grown to an extraordinary height of 9.5 feet and continues to develop, despite not yet producing seeds or showing signs of fruiting.
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Ajolokan noted that he only became aware of the plant’s unique nature when Mr Lester Olaifa, a journalist and community leader in Ikoro, visited and remarked on its exceptional height and thickness.
Chairman of Eso-Obe LCDA, Mr Bankole Ayeni, confirmed that protective measures had been taken to safeguard the plant.
The discovery has generated excitement among stakeholders in both the agricultural and tourism sectors, surpassing the previous record of 8.3 feet, held by a spinach plant discovered in Benue State in 2018.
The Olukoro of Ikoro-Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Adeleye, praised the state government for its prompt response and described the spinach as a symbol of the town’s vibrant heritage.
“Ikoro is not merely an ancient town; it is a guardian of living heritage,” the monarch stated.
The Ekiti State Tourism Development Bureau has commenced formal documentation of the discovery and is consulting with agricultural experts to understand the factors behind the plant’s unusual growth. Plans are also underway for its preservation and public exhibition.
