The high-level gathering provided a platform for discussions on food security, sustainable livelihoods and collaborative approaches to strengthening Nigeria’s nutrition systems while protecting the environment.

Participants stressed the importance of stronger partnerships between government institutions, private-sector organisations and development agencies to improve nutrition outcomes, strengthen agricultural supply chains and support sustainable economic growth.

In his opening address, Nestlé Nigeria’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving quality of life through food, nutrition and sustainable development for present and future generations.

He explained that Nestlé has spent more than five decades creating shared value in Nigeria through responsible sourcing, local manufacturing and strategic investments in nutrition security and community development.

According to him, the “Nestlé for Good” initiative demonstrates the company’s long-term commitment to improving nutrition, building thriving communities and promoting environmental sustainability.

“Progress towards a sustainable food and nutrition system can only be achieved through effective collaboration among governments, industries, healthcare institutions, development partners, communities and individuals,” Elhusseini said.

The summit also featured a fireside conversation moderated by Victoria Uwadoka, Nestlé Nigeria’s Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead, alongside Patricia Ekaba.

During the discussion, they presented the “Nestlé for Good” initiative as a strategic movement aimed at expanding social impact, strengthening transparency and advancing sustainable development goals.

They explained that the initiative aligns with Nestlé’s Creating Shared Value model, which connects business growth with social progress and environmental responsibility.

Ekaba highlighted the impact of Nestlé’s interventions across West Africa, particularly in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. She noted that livelihood support programmes had helped beneficiaries restore economic stability, regain dignity and build confidence within their communities.

Delivering the keynote address, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem, emphasised that nutrition is fundamental to sustainable development.

She explained that healthier populations are better positioned to contribute to economic productivity and national growth, adding that nutrition affects more than food consumption, with direct implications for healthcare delivery, workforce productivity and economic advancement.

Ambrose-Medebem outlined the Lagos State Government’s efforts to strengthen food distribution systems, improve the ease of doing business and create opportunities for enterprise development.

She disclosed that Lagos accounted for more than 60 per cent of Nigeria’s non-oil exports, valued at approximately $5.3 billion in 2024, describing the performance as evidence of the state’s growing economic capacity.

The Commissioner also highlighted two major programmes under the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment designed to improve access to finance for businesses and strengthen food systems.

One is the Lagos State Access to Finance for SMEs through Cooperatives (LASMECO), a ₦10 billion financing scheme developed in partnership with the Bank of Industry.

The initiative provides non-collateralised loans of up to ₦10 million to cooperative-based micro, small and medium enterprises at an annual interest rate of nine per cent.

Its support package also includes a six-month moratorium, a 36-month repayment period, mentorship and access to market opportunities for participating businesses.

She also discussed the Lagos State Export Readiness Programme (LASERP), implemented in partnership with the African Export-Import Bank and ImpactHer.

The programme has trained more than 253 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) on export procedures and opportunities available under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.

According to Ambrose-Medebem, Lagos State is targeting an additional $1 billion in annual foreign exchange earnings through SMEs over the next five years.

She further disclosed that the Lagos State Industrial Policy 2025-2030 had been introduced to consolidate the state’s position as a leading manufacturing centre through infrastructure development, innovation support and stronger public-private partnerships.

On agricultural development, Nestlé Nigeria Plc’s Agric Services Manager, Edwin Aguda, revealed that the company’s grains programme in Northern Nigeria currently works with more than 18,000 smallholder farmers integrated into formal agricultural supply chains.

He said the programme is expected to expand its reach to 25,000 farmers by 2027, describing it as an intervention aimed at improving rural livelihoods and strengthening domestic food production.

Participants agreed that increasing local agricultural production is essential to reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported food and limiting exposure to disruptions in international supply chains.

Nestlé Nigeria’s Sustainability Manager, Chinwe Obi, also discussed the company’s environmental initiatives, explaining that sustainability considerations have become an integral part of its operational strategy.

She disclosed that the company now incorporates 50 per cent recycled plastics into its water bottle production as part of efforts to reduce environmental pollution and strengthen waste management.

Obi also highlighted the growth of the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance, which has expanded from four founding organisations to 43 participating institutions.

Since 2019, the alliance has recovered more than 400 tonnes of plastic waste.

Another major session examined nutrition challenges under the theme, “Bridging Nutrition Gaps Through Coordinated Approaches.” The discussion was moderated by Amaka Nwaora of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria.

Experts raised concerns about increasing cases of anaemia among women and stunted growth among children in Nigeria.

Healthcare professionals also warned about the rapid rise in diabetes, obesity and hypertension, linking the growing burden to poor dietary habits and inadequate nutrition awareness.

The panelists identified Nigeria’s simultaneous struggle with undernutrition and non-communicable diseases as a serious public health challenge.

They attributed persistent difficulties in addressing the problem to weak policy implementation, insufficient funding and poor coordination among institutions responsible for delivering nutrition programmes across the country.

Beyond nutrition and environmental sustainability, the summit examined the role of human capital development and economic empowerment in improving community livelihoods.

Beneficiaries of Nestlé-supported initiatives shared their experiences with entrepreneurship support, vocational training and skills acquisition programmes that had contributed to improving their economic circumstances.

One beneficiary, trader Abene Titilayo, explained that financial literacy training had strengthened her confidence in managing her business and improved her economic independence.

A beneficiary of Nestlé’s dairy programme also spoke about how structured support had helped stabilise rural value chains and improve household income generation.

Another participant, a graduate of the Nestlé Technical Training Centre, recounted her experience in the institution’s 18-month programme, which covered leadership development and industrial sustainability knowledge.

A trainee also shared how an international exposure opportunity in Switzerland had strengthened her knowledge of emissions reduction and sustainable industrial practices.

The summit ended with a shared position that addressing Nigeria’s food and nutrition challenges requires coordinated, long-term reforms involving government institutions, businesses, healthcare professionals and local communities.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Toju Egbebi, Corporate Affairs Manager at Nestlé Nigeria Plc, appreciated the participants, partners and stakeholders for their contributions and support towards the summit.

The event reinforced the importance of collective action in advancing sustainable nutrition, stronger communities and economic growth in Nigeria.

Source: Solid News Nigeria