Ekiti’s Soil Sprouts a Miracle: “Human-Hand Yam” Steals the Show at EKIFEST 2025

In a captivating blend of agriculture and artistry, the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development has unveiled a bizarre yet enchanting discovery at the ongoing EKIFEST 2025—a yam tuber eerily resembling a human left hand, unearthed at the Ikere Local Government Exhibition Stand and hailed as nature’s latest tribute to the state’s fertile lands. Led by Director-General Barrister Wale Ojo-Lanre, the bureau’s team stumbled upon the peculiar specimen during a tour of the Arts and Culture Exhibition Pavilion, instantly sparking wonder among visitors, experts, and officials who flocked to witness this agricultural anomaly firsthand.

Barrister Ojo-Lanre, who personally spotlighted the yam, proclaimed it a vivid testament to the divine bounty of Ekiti’s soil, where everyday farming yields extraordinary surprises that blend science with symbolism. “This is no ordinary find; it’s a miracle from our agro-ecological heartland, reinforcing Ekiti’s status as the Land of Honour and a cradle of biodiversity that could draw scientists and tourists from around the world,” he enthused, underscoring how the state’s loamy earth, rich in organic matter and nourished by balanced rainfall, fosters such genetic quirks—possibly from mutations, hormonal shifts, or environmental adaptations.

Agricultural specialists chimed in, explaining that these tuber deformities often arise from subtle interactions between soil minerals, microclimates, and plant biology, transforming a humble root crop into what one dubbed a “botanical sculpture” forged by nature’s hand. For Ekiti, this “Human-Hand Yam” joins a lineage of marvels, much like the towering 12-foot African Tête plant spotted in Ikoro-Ekiti earlier this year, prompting calls to weave agro-tourism into the state’s development blueprint to showcase its ecological treasures.

Underscoring the broader vision, Ojo-Lanre announced that the bureau will archive the yam in its Tourism Heritage Biodiversity Register, partnering with farms and universities to turn such oddities into interactive exhibits that fuse education, innovation, and storytelling. The discovery will anchor the new Ekiti Natural Wonders Exhibition, positioning the state as a prime spot for those intrigued by environmental curiosities and cultural narratives. “Nature speaks volumes in Ekiti,” Ojo-Lanre reflected, evoking iconic landmarks from Iyin’s ancient rocks to Ikogosi’s mystic springs and Arinta’s cascading waterfalls, all proof that creativity is sown deep in the region’s earth. As EKIFEST pulses on, this yam promises to elevate Ekiti’s profile, inviting global eyes to its wondrous fields.