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
To make the acquisition of 4G smartphones easier through flexible and convenient payment plan, Airtel Nigeria has introduced a Smartphone Financing Programme.
This innovative solution will drive wider digital inclusion and aggressively bridge the digital divide in the country.
Through this innovation, Airtel will finance new smartphones via its exclusive retail network, helping customers currently using 2G and 3G devices upgrade seamlessly to 4G connectivity.
The programme will kick off with the Itel A50 smartphone, a reliable, high-performing device designed to deliver a superior mobile experience for customers across Nigeria.
To be eligible, customers must be Airtel subscribers and are advised to check their financing status by dialling *492# USSD code. Once approved, the final onboarding is completed at any Airtel-owned shop. Upon making the initial down payment of N19,000 or N21,000, customers will receive their smartphone and immediately gain access to fast 4G internet.
All payments, including the down payment and subsequent weekly instalments, will be made exclusively through SmartCash, Airtel’s secure mobile money subsidiary.
In addition, customers must be active on the Airtel network for at least three months, have a registered SmartCash account, a valid form of identification such as NIN, Voter’s Card, or Driver’s Licence, and provide consent for data processing by Intelligra for eligibility verification.
“Connectivity is opportunity, and smartphones are the key that unlocks it. Through the Airtel Smartphone Financing Programme, we are enabling more Nigerians to access 4G technologies, experience the full benefits of digital inclusion without financial strain, and transform the way they learn, work, and live.
“This initiative goes beyond providing devices; it is about empowerment, progress, and building a truly connected future,” the chief executive of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Dinesh Balsingh, said at the unveiling of the scheme.
Also speaking on the innovation, the Director of Marketing for Airtel Nigeria, Mr Ismail Adeshina, said, “Our mission is to democratise access to technology by removing financial barriers. With this programme, customers can now afford quality smartphones without the burden of full upfront payment.
“By leveraging SmartCash and intelligent scoring systems, we are creating a sustainable model for inclusive digital growth.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
One of Nigeria’s leading full-service Public Relations and Strategic Communications agencies, Integrated Indigo Limited, stole the spotlight at the 2025 Brandcom Awards ceremony held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, in Lagos.
The company went home with two awards at the event attended stakeholders in the integrated marketing communications (IMC) sector.
Integrated Indigo was named the PR Agency of the Year and the Most Outstanding Agency in Corporate Communications.
Reacting to the double honour, the chief executive of the firm, Mr Bolaji Abimbola, said the recognition reflects the agency’s consistent drive for innovation, strategic excellence, and creativity in delivering measurable impact for clients across industries, as well as a testament to the dedication of its talented team, noting that the awards are not just a recognition of past achievements but a motivation to continue raising the bar within the industry.
“We are deeply honoured to be recognised as PR Agency of the Year and Most Outstanding Agency in Corporate Communications.
“These awards reaffirm our belief that meaningful communication, anchored on insight, creativity, and integrity, can inspire trust, transform brands, and drive long-term impact.
“This win is for our clients, partners, and the entire Indigo team, whose passion and commitment continue to set us apart.
“This recognition will only inspire us to push boundaries further and continue delivering value that drives results for our clients and communities,” he said.
Now in its seventh edition, the prestigious Brandcom Awards, organised by Brand Communicator, celebrates excellence across the marketing and communications ecosystem, spotlighting brands, agencies, and individuals making outstanding contributions in the industry.
Integrated Indigo continues to shape modern corporate communications in Nigeria through data-driven strategies and authentic storytelling, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted partner that delivers impactful campaigns connecting brands with audiences, strengthening reputations, and inspiring change.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
To boost customer experience and operational resilience, leading technology platform offering on demand services from restaurants, supermarkets and stores, Glovo, has launched its LiveOps Hub in Abuja.
The Abuja LiveOps Hub demonstrates the company’s ongoing investment in innovation, reliability, and human capital development in Nigeria.
It was learned that the new facility integrates advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology with human intelligence to ensure seamless and secure service.
With this, it will be able to tackle key challenges within Nigeria’s fast-growing Qcommerce ecosystem, including low digital trust, infrastructure volatility, and the need for 24/7 real-time service.
With a team of over 100 trained professionals, the hub provides live operational support for customers, riders, and vendors that use the Glovo platform nationwide.
“The LiveOps Hub in Abuja reflects our investment in resilience and reliability. We have invested heavily in redundant high-speed satellite links and powerful backup power solutions, including generators and solar systems, to ensure our team operates 24/7 without downtime.
“This means we are always available when customers, riders, or vendors need us most,” the General Manager for Glovo Nigeria, Ms Lamide Akinola, stated.
The hub’s tiered support system is built around specialized “Pods”, such as Refunds, Rider Support, and Vendor Relations, allowing agents to resolve complex cases faster and with greater precision.
Since its establishment in early 2025, the team has maintained an impressive 90 per cent success rate in responding to customer inquiries within 30 seconds, setting a new benchmark for responsiveness and reliability in Nigeria’s on-demand sector.
Beyond speed and technology, the Abuja hub represents Glovo’s belief that great customer support depends on local understanding. In cities where unmapped addresses and complex routes can challenge delivery operations, the locally based LiveOps team plays a key role in helping riders and customers connect seamlessly. Agents use their knowledge of neighbourhoods, landmarks, and delivery patterns to solve navigation-related issues in real time, bridging the gap between technology and on-the-ground realities.
Beyond operations, the Abuja Hub doubles as a LiveOps Academy, dedicated to nurturing and retaining Nigerian talent. Agents receive training beyond customer service, including business analysis, fraud detection, and project management. This investment not only builds long-term skills but also strengthens Nigeria’s growing digital service ecosystem and contributes to a more resilient digital economy.
“Our approach combines people, technology, and local understanding. We are not just solving customer challenges, we are building trust in Nigeria’s digital economy by showing that reliability, innovation, and opportunity can coexist,” Ms Akinola added.
The Abuja LiveOps Hub plays a key role in Glovo’s long-term vision: setting new standards for customer experience, operational excellence, and localized innovation across Africa. Through this investment, Glovo reaffirms its commitment to defining what exceptional service looks like in the fast-evolving Quick-Commerce sector
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