Brands/Products
Rising Wheat Consumption in Nigeria Creating Job Opportunities—Crown Flour
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The rising consumption of wheat derivative foods in Nigeria is stimulating job opportunities at the production, processing, distribution, warehousing and retailing levels of the wheat value chain, Crown Flour Mill Limited, a subsidiary of Olam Nigeria, has disclosed.
“Presently, the wheat value chain accounts for over 10.5 million jobs generated annually in Nigeria.
“This of course has placed the wheat value chain at the centre of the various economic development agenda of the federal government of Nigeria,” the Managing Director of Crown Flour, Mr Ashish Pande, said last Friday when he led the company’s senior management team to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr Chris Ngige, in Abuja.
Recent government data revealed that in the fourth quarter of 2020, 33.3 per cent of the Nigerian labour force was unemployed. While the various COVID-19 curtailment policies have been relaxed to some extent, various socioeconomic disruptions continue to pile pressure on businesses and jobs.
Hence, it is estimated that the current unemployment figure in the country is expected to increase even further in 2021 and 2022.
All jobs being generated in the country in the current economic crunch and particularly along the wheat value chain are critical to positively impacting livelihoods, feeding the nation, and stimulating economic growth.
During the visit, Mr Pande, represented by the Corporate Affairs Manager of Olam Nigeria, Ms Damilola Adeniyi, assured the Minister that the firm will continue to collaborate with other stakeholders within the local wheat value chain in sustaining the socio-economic value proposition of the sector.
He disclosed that flour millers will continue to take bold developmental steps through scaled investments in critical areas, including seed trial and research, training of smallholder wheat farmers and funding of the various farming research institutes in the country to ensure that the current local production level of the wheat crop improves significantly.
“While these efforts have ensured that we keep providing affordable and quality food for the growing Nigerian population, they have also helped to increase the number of jobs being created for the active segment of the population.
“Overall, the investment efforts, which extend to capacity building initiatives for bakers, are beginning to yield positive results,” he stated.
Stressing further on the importance of the local wheat value chain, Mr Pande said that while prices of other major national staple foods such as rice, garri, yam and beans have risen sharply by 3.2 per cent, 6 per cent, 5.3 per cent and 13.4 per cent respectively, in the past months, the prices of wheat derivative foods have been largely cushioned from the inflationary trend by local millers and bakers who continuously absorb the extra cost of production to keep feeding the population.
The solicited the backing of the Minister to ensure that millers continue to deliver on their employment generating potential, noting that, “If the current wheat value chain developmental drive is sustained, it would help secure the jobs of many Nigerians while ensuring that more homes continue to gain access to affordable quality wheat derivative foods such as semolina, bread, noodles and pasta.”
In response, Mr Ngige lauded Crown Flour and the other millers for their economic development drives, saying, “The Ministry of Labour and Employment is committed to supporting efforts that are geared towards providing good jobs for Nigerians and ultimately growing the economy.”
Also, the Minister expressed his delight over the extensive investments that the Olam group has made and continues to make in Food & Agricultural value chain.
He said, “The level of investment presently being channelled into developing the value chain is of paramount importance to help reduce the level of unemployment and underemployment in the economy.”
According to Ngige, “Sustaining and scaling the current level of developmental projects in the value chain is key to keeping Nigerians gainfully employed and well-nourished.
“At the Ministry of Labour and Employment, we will continue to support your drive as a critical partner in achieving national economic prosperity through expanded local production that can deliver more employment opportunities for the teeming Nigerian population.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Nigeria’s trusted hybrid and integrated electromechanical energy provider, JMG Limited, has completed the installation of solar power systems at three key fuel stations of NIPCO Plc.
The clean energy source was installed at NIPCO’s petrol dispensing outlets in Gwagwalada Abuja, Lekki Lagos, and Mpape Abuja.
This will help the organisation eliminate diesel reliance, and unlock more than N44 million in annual energy cost savings.
The installations feature advanced hybrid systems, combining solar arrays, lithium battery storage, and smart inverters to provide 24/7 energy for fuel pumps, lighting, and office operations. Each site has reported zero use of electricity or generator power since the systems were installed.
The three NIPCO stations now run on an advanced hybrid solar system that combines high‑efficiency PV panels, intelligent lithium‑battery storage and smart inverters.
Since commissioning, the sites have operated with zero grid or generator power, providing silent, clean, uninterrupted electricity for pumps, lighting and administration.
“We are proud to help NIPCO lead the energy transition at the retail level.
“The scalable architecture can be sized to each location and has already delivered significant savings, about 88,535 kWh/year, N44.4 million in annual cost savings and a 43.8‑tonne reduction in CO₂ emissions,” the Head of JMG’s Hybrid Solar Division, Mr Abbass Hussein, stated, adding that, “Collaborating with NIPCO on this initiative demonstrates a practical pathway for other firms to reduce both emissions and energy expenses.”
Also commenting, NIPCO’s Station Manager at Gwagwalada, Mr Idoko Jacob, said, “The stations have not relied on electricity or generator power on bright-weather days since commissioning. The solar systems fully meet our daily energy needs during such periods. On days with poor weather, we supplement the solar system with generator power to ensure uninterrupted operations.”
Business Post gathered that the NIPCO Gwagwalada Station has a solar output of 42,450 kWh/year, annual savings of N15.6 million, and CO₂ reduction of 15,332.76 kg/year, with a system installed consisting of a 20kW Deye LV Hybrid Inverter, 26.8kWp Solar PV, and 51.2kWh Lithium Battery Storage.
The NIPCO Lekki Station has a solar output of 3,635 kWh/year, annual savings of N12 million, and CO₂ reduction of 13,130.1 kg/year, with a system installed consisting of a 25kW Must Hybrid Inverter, 22.95kWp Solar PV, and 76.8kWh Lithium Battery Storage.
As for the NIPCO Mpape Station, it has a solar output of 42,450 kWh/year, annual savings of N16.8 million, and CO₂ reduction of 15,332.76 kg/year, with a system installed consisting of a 20kW Deye LV Hybrid Inverter, 26.8kWp Solar PV, and 61.44kWh Lithium Battery Storage.
MAGGI, the culinary brand from Nestlé Nigeria, has announced the launch of its festive campaign, Taste of Christmas, designed to celebrate the sights, sounds, and flavours that define the Nigerian Christmas experience.
Central to the campaign is a collaboration with Nigeria’s fast-rising pop star Qing Madi and the renowned Loud Urban Choir, resulting in a new Christmas anthem titled Taste of Christmas.
Now available across all major music streaming platforms, the song blends contemporary sound with cultural warmth, evoking the joy of family, togetherness, and shared meals that characterize the season.
Extending beyond music, the Taste of Christmas campaign will roll out a curated series of festive recipes and culinary inspiration over a 12-day period. The collection features creative twists such as Coco Bongus, alongside beloved Nigerian classics, encouraging families to explore new flavours while enjoying MAGGI’s trusted range of seasonings.
Commenting on the campaign, the Category Manager for Culinary at MAGGI, Ms Funmi Osineye, said, “Christmas is a time when family, culture, and shared experiences come alive. With the Taste of Christmas campaign, we set out to create a platform that resonates strongly with today’s young adults while still celebrating the warmth of home. Partnering with Qing Madi and The Loud Urban Choir allows us to connect music and food in a way that feels authentic, modern, and deeply Nigerian.”
The campaign further reflects MAGGI’s commitment to celebrating home-grown talent, nurturing culinary creativity, and strengthening the role of food as a unifying force in Nigerian homes.
Consumers can access festive recipes, campaign content, and the Taste of Christmas anthem on MAGGI’s digital platforms and social media channels. Conversations around the campaign can be followed using #MAGGIChristmas.
MAGGI is a leading culinary brand from Nestlé Nigeria, committed to inspiring better cooking habits and bringing families together through delicious, nutritious meals.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The decision of the federal government to suspend the ban on alcohol produced in sachets has been welcomed by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA).
The Director-General of the group, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, described it as a right step in the right direction because it respects existing National Assembly resolutions and restores regulatory clarity.
Recall that recently, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) ordered the suspension of the policy due to concerns raised by the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control.
In a statement, the NECA chief said the immediate suspension of all enforcement actions relating to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle products, pending the conclusion of consultations and the issuance of a final policy directive, was good for the industry and the economy.
According to him, the sachet and PET segment of the alcoholic beverage industry accounts for a significant portion of the estimated N800 billion invested in the sector and supports thousands of direct and indirect jobs in manufacturing, packaging, logistics, wholesale and retail.
He stressed that in an economy already struggling with high unemployment and rising business costs, abrupt policy measures that threaten existing jobs and legitimate investments would be counterproductive.
“We fully acknowledge the need to address public health concerns, especially regarding children and young people, but the solutions must be evidence-based and carefully designed so as not to drive activities into the informal and unregulated economy or encourage illicit products.
“We are looking forward to a deepened consultation to enable the protection of jobs, livelihoods and legitimate investments, etc., while also ensuring that public health objectives are effectively and sustainably achieved,” Mr Oyerinde said.
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