With Kazeem Oluwasegun Adefuye and Akilla Michael Adebisi heading to Ireland this autumn, Nigeria will have two compelling advocates on one of the sector’s most prominent global platforms.
By Emmanuel “Waziri” Okoro
Two Nigerian bartenders have been named regional winners of the global Jameson Black Barrel Bartender Series, earning Nigeria a place on the world stage of cocktail craft.
Lagos-based Kazeem Oluwasegun Adefuye and Akilla Michael Adebisi were selected from a worldwide pool of entries and will travel to Ireland in September to represent Nigeria at the Jameson Host Summit — a landmark moment for a country whose cocktail industry has grown considerably in recent years.
The Bartender Series invites professionals from across the globe to devise original cocktails inspired by Jameson Black Barrel, incorporating locally sourced ingredients and presenting their creations via video submission. Of the entries received worldwide, 26 regional winners were chosen on the basis of creativity, cocktail concept, video quality, and brand knowledge. Both Nigerian winners will attend the global summit on an all-expenses-paid basis, joining bartenders from around the world for an intensive programme of learning, networking, and cultural exchange.
Evane Chenuet, Marketing Director at Pernod Ricard, said the company was “incredibly proud” of both winners. “The Jameson Black Barrel Bartender Series celebrates creativity and the craft of bartending, and these two bartenders embody that spirit”, she added. “We look forward to supporting them as they head to Ireland and continue to showcase Nigerian talent to the world”.
Kazeem Oluwasegun Adefuye brings more than nine years of hospitality experience to the competition. Having begun his career in entry-level service roles, he built his reputation through a distinctive approach to flavour, technique, and presentation that has positioned him as a key figure in the development of Nigeria’s cocktail scene. He is currently pursuing whiskey education at the Edinburgh Whisky Academy, where he holds a scholarship from the Ajabu Festival.
Akilla Michael Adebisi, originally from Ogun State and raised in Ajegunle, Lagos, came to the industry after a formative period marked by personal hardship, including the early loss of his father. Guided by family and introduced to hospitality through a family contact, he has since built a career defined by discipline and a steadfast commitment to his craft. He is widely regarded as part of a new generation of Nigerian bartenders reshaping the country’s profile in global drinks culture.
The competition reflects Jameson’s broader ambition to champion the international bartending community and foster innovation within the industry. With Kazeem and Akilla heading to Ireland this autumn, Nigeria will have two compelling advocates on one of the sector’s most prominent global platforms.