Business and Brand
Nestlé Announces Dairy Demonstration Farm, Invests Over ₦1.8 Billion in Dairy Development
Nestlé Nigeria has launched a dairy demonstration farm in Paikon Kore, marking a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to enhancing the local dairy industry through the Nestlé Nigeria Livestock Development Project (NLDP, inaugurated in 2021. The NLDP is structured around three pillars: Better Milk, Better Feed (fodder), and Resilient Communities. It is supported by the Federal Capital Territory Administration and delivered in collaboration with CBI Innovations Limited (CBiIL) and 2Scale. Nestlé Dairy Demonstration Farm is designed to build on the success of the NLDP by serving as a practical model for implementing best dairy practices. It will showcase how to enhance the productivity of local cattle breeds from an average yield of 1 liter per cow per day to potentially over 10 liters through effective breeding programs. The farm also aims to showcase the practical application of best dairy practices to maintain herd health, nutrition, and hydration to transform local dairy production. At the launch event, Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director and CEO of Nestlé Nigeria said, “Since 2019, Nestlé Nigeria has invested over ₦1.8 billion in improving the livelihoods of pastoralists in and around the Paikon Kore and Kachia grazing reserve. We are happy to report that the milk producers participating in this program have experienced a substantial increase in their household income which rose from ₦70,000 in 2021 to ₦250,000 in 2024. This growth is attributed to increased productivity driven by improved dairy practices and provision of the enabling infrastructure within the communities.” Daily milk collection increased from an initial 200 liters in June 2021 to an average of 6,000 liters per day at the Milk Collection and Cooling Centre, aggregating over 1 million liters of raw milk to date. This success benefits approximately 3,000 milk producers who are part of the 83 dairy cooperatives established under the NLDP.Also commenting on the demonstration farm, Mr. Soji Apampa, CEO of CBI Innovations said, “We are excited about the opportunities ahead. Nestlé Demonstration Dairy Farm is not merely a project, it catalyzes the positive change we are dedicated to through sustainable farming practices that protect our environment, animal welfare, and the well-being of our communities. We envision a future where this dairy farm serves as a model of excellence and an inspiration for others in the industry. We will continue to innovate, learn, and grow, always maintaining an unwavering focus on quality, sustainability, and community.” In his address, the Honorable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha said, “The establishment of this model dairy farm demonstrates Nestlé’s unwavering commitment to contributing to the nation’s backward integration goals and aligns seamlessly with our national agenda for livestock development. By introducing modern farming practices, supporting local dairy farmers, and ensuring the production of high-quality dairy products, this project will not only boost our domestic dairy supply but also reduce reliance on imports, thereby strengthening our economy. In view of this, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development is fully committed to creating an enabling environment for investments like this to thrive.” The community members expressed their excitement with the location of the farm. Sulaiman Ahmed said on behalf of the Apex Union Leaders, “We are delighted that in addition to raising awareness about dairy farming, the demo farm will bring many benefits to our community. It presents us with the opportunity to access crossbreeds and serves as a training site for adopting modern dairy farming practices, particularly in feeding methodologies. The farm will also create more visibility for our community by attracting visitors and potential business partners.” Nestlé Dairy Development Farm situated on 4 hectares within the Paikon Kore Grazing Reserve is equipped with cattle sheds, a calf pen, maternity and sick bay. It also has a holding area and dip-tank, an automated milking system, and a hay barn. The farm has adopted sustainable practices including the use of solar power, and the establishment of a biogas system for waste management. It will serve as a training facility not just for the farmers within the NLDP project, but also for a wider range of stakeholders, including practitioners, academia and pastoralists. This initiative is part of Nestlé’s Creating Shared Value (CSV) strategy, which works with stakeholders and partners to create value for society while growing its business. -End-About Nestlé NigeriaNestlé Nigeria is a leading food and beverage company committed to unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone today and for future generations. With a wide range of products, including popular brands such as NESTLÉ PURELIFE, GOLDEN MORN, MILO, MAGGI and NESCAFÉ, Nestlé Nigeria is dedicated to providing nutritious and delicious food and beverages to consumers across Nigeria.About CBi Innovations Limited (CBiIL)CBi Innovations Limited (CBiIL) specializes in market system development that leverages innovations to overcome specific constraints to better incomes and the mainstreaming of poor youth and women producers at the base of the economic pyramid through participation in commercially viable market opportunities in existing agricultural value chains. CBiIL has significant experience in providing better market access for women producers, addressing constraints to their market participation, and acts as an aggregator of smallholder producers and a national scale agent that unlocks greater private sector investment. CBiIL has a proven track record of partnering with women and youth smallholder farmers to deliver the productivity and traceability of produce sought by processors, as we are currently doing for Nestlé Nigeria Plc in the dairy sector. Our strong compliance-management ethos coupled with technology-enabled controls helps us to spread and manage risks inherent in engaging smallholder farmers at scale while keeping the economics of production manageable. We subscribe strongly to the principle of equity first, equality second and that drives our approach.
Business and Brand
Olam Agri Raises the Bar with Mama’s Pride Cholesterol-Free,Nutrient-Rich Soya Oil
Lagos, Nigeria – April 14, 2026 – In a bold move set to enhance Nigeria’s edible oil market, Olam Agri
has officially launched Mama’s Pride Soya Oil, a well-refined, heart-healthy cooking oil designed to
meet the evolving nutritional needs of Nigerian households. The launch event, held on Wednesday,
witnessed remarkable market enthusiasm, with trade partners from across the country in attendance.
Speaking at the event, the Africa Head of Edible Oil Processing at Olam Agri, Saurabh Kumar, described
the product as a carefully developed innovation tailored for Nigerian kitchens and homes.
“Mama’s Pride Soya Oil is proudly produced in Nigeria for Nigerians. It is thoughtfully developed as a
product consumers can trust for their everyday cooking. With its superior quality, health benefits, and
long-lasting performance, we are confident it will redefine standards and emerge as a market leader,”
he said.
Kumar further highlighted Olam Agri’s longstanding commitment to Nigeria: “This product reflects our
continuous investment in Nigeria and belief in its potential. It builds on our impressive achievements
across rice, wheat milling, animal feed, and sesame segments. From sourcing soybeans locally to
processing them into high-quality oil, our new edible oil product is built on excellence, sustainability,
and trust.”
Also speaking, Head of Marketing, Bola Adeniji, emphasised the importance of promoting authentic
and healthy edible oil options in Nigeria: “We encourage consumers to choose healthy, non-
adulterated edible oils. Mama’s Pride Soya Oil offers not just quality, but safety and nutrition. We call
on our trade partners and dealers to champion authentic brands and help eliminate adulterated
products from the market for the overall health of Nigerians.”
Adeniji outlined the product’s key features, including fortification with Vitamin A and Omega 3 and 6,
zero cholesterol content, and long-lasting frying performance, ensuring value for money for
consumers.
In his remark, the Managing Director, Wheat Milling Business, Nitin Mehta, described the unveiling as a
defining moment for the business. He said, “This is a historic moment for us. To change the game, we
must offer consumers a high-quality product at an affordable price. Mama’s Pride Soya Oil embodies that vision. After over a year and a half of rigorous product research and development, we are proud to
deliver a product that meets the highest standards.
“We have seen tremendous support from our dealers across our pasta and semolina products, and we
are confident that with their continued partnership, Mama’s Pride Soya Oil will achieve even greater
success in the market.”
Mama’s Pride Soya Oil is now available at retailers nationwide, making it easily accessible to consumers
across Nigeria. The product comes in a variety of convenient SKUs to suit different household and
commercial needs, including PET bottles in 500ml, 1L, and 2L; pouches in 350ml and 1L; and a 25L keg.
The launch of Mama’s Pride Soya Oil follows strong engagements with the soy farmer community and
the government, as well as the opening of Olam Agri’s US$50 million state-of-the-art soybean crushing
plant and feed mill complex in Ilorin, Kwara State. The soybean crushing plant, which serves as the
largest in sub-Saharan Africa with a processing capacity of 250,000–350,000 metric tonnes annually,
supports local soybean production. This is supplying Olam Agri’s feed-milling unit and its edible oil unit
subsidiary, Ruyat Oil, which specialises in processing and refining various vegetable oils for the Nigerian
market.
Olam Agri, which specialises in food, feed and fibre, is committed to a fully integrated
approach—working closely with farmers through structured support systems, improving yields, and
producing and processing locally. This captures the agribusiness’s focus on fostering positive economic
impact through improved value chain productivity, a nutritional landscape, human capital
development, and job creation in Nigeria.
Anil Nair, Country Head and Managing Director, Olam Agri in Nigeria, affirmed, “As a business that
originated in Nigeria, we continue to commit investment into developing key value chains, people and
highly nutritious and safe food that supports the overall national economic growth in line with the
government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The introduction of Mama’s Pride Soya Oil is a direct outcome of
our long-term investment in Nigeria’s food systems.”
Emphasising the company’s vision for the future, he enthused, “We believe Nigeria has the capacity to
be self-sufficient in food production. By investing in infrastructure, empowering farmers, and delivering
high-quality consumer products like Mama’s Pride Soya Oil, we are playing our part in building a
resilient and food-secure nation.”
Business and Brand
MAGGI Unveils Qing Madi as the Face of “Me & MAGGI, So Good Together” Campaign
MAGGI has unveiled rising music sensation Qing Madi as the face of its latest campaign, “Me & MAGGI, So Good Together,” marking a bold step in the brand’s journey to deepen its connection with a new generation of Nigerians.The unveiling, held at Nestlé Nigeria’s Head Office in Lagos, signals an evolution in how MAGGI shows up in the lives of younger consumers, not just as a trusted kitchen staple, but as part of the moments, emotions, and shared experiences that define today’s culture.Today’s generation doesn’t just eat, they create, remix, and share. From quick meals to content moments, food has become a powerful form of self-expression, and Gen Z continues to redefine it as culture. For MAGGI, this evolution is both familiar and exciting.Building on the success of its “Taste of Christmas” campaign which blended food, music, and emotion, MAGGI continues to evolve its storytelling to reflect how people connect today: through shared experiences that feel real, personal, and culturally relevant.Speaking at the unveiling, Funmi Osineye, Category Manager, Culinary/MAGGI, Nestlé Nigeria, said: “Food is evolving, and so are the ways people connect with it. Today, it’s not just about cooking; it’s about expression, vibes, and identity. A new generation is turning everyday meals into moments they create, remix, and share. MAGGI has always been part of that journey; from our parents’ kitchens to our own quick meals, and now as part of the culture shaping everyday creativity. As we tell this new story, it was important to partner with a voice that truly represents this generation. Qing Madi brings that authenticity, her world, her sound, and her connection with young people make her a natural fit for MAGGI today.”At the heart of the campaign is a simple idea: the best moments often happen in the most familiar places, around food, with people who matter. Through “Me & MAGGI: So Good Together,” the brand captures these moments in a way that is relatable, expressive, and culturally resonant.Sharing her excitement about the collaboration, Qing Madi said: “This partnership means a lot to me, not just personally, but for my generation. We’re expressing ourselves in new ways, even through things like food and cooking, not because we have to, but because we enjoy it. Being part of a campaign like this and seeing a brand like MAGGI create space for that, feels really special. I’m excited to be part of something that reflects who we are and how we connect today.”To bring the campaign to life, the unveiling event was designed as an intimate watch party, a relaxed, at-home experience inspired by Qing Madi’s world. Guests, including close friends, media and lifestyle influencers, stepped into a space where food, music, and culture came together seamlessly.The experience featured three immersive zones; a Content Tunnel, a Music and Culture Lounge, and a Photo Studio, each designed to reflect how young people create, connect, and share moments today.With this campaign, MAGGI continues to build on its legacy while embracing new expressions of culture, ensuring it remains a brand that resonates across generations, familiar, yet evolving with the times.
Business and Brand
Interswitch Honoured with Digital Finance Excellence Award at APWBN Marquee Event 2026
L-R; Rafiat Onitiri, Chief Host, Association of Professional Women Bankers Nigeria; Oremeyi Akah, Chief Customer Officer, Interswitch Group; and Funmi Ekundayo, MD, STL Trustees as Interswitch receives the Digital Finance Excellence Award at the Association of Professional Women Bankers Marquee Event held at Civic Centre, Lagos.
Interswitch, one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce companies, has been honoured with the Digital Finance Excellence Award by the Association of Professional Women Bankers Nigeria (APWBN). The award was presented at the prestigious APWBN Marquee Event held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event, themed ‘Redefining Power – Women Shaping the Future of Finance,’ brought together top industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore the evolving role of women in driving financial transformation. Representing Interswitch at the event, Oremeyi Akah, Chief Customer Experience Officer, received the award on behalf of the company and participated as a panelist, contributing valuable insights on customer-centric innovation, digital transformation, and the importance of inclusive leadership in shaping the future of finance. Speaking on the recognition, Cherry Eromosele, the Executive Vice President, Group Marketing and Communications at Interswitch said:“This award is a testament to Interswitch’s unwavering commitment to advancing digital finance and delivering impactful, customer-focused solutions across Africa. We are particularly honoured to be recognised by APWBN, an organisation championing the advancement of women in the banking and financial services sector. At Interswitch, we believe that inclusion and innovation go hand in hand in building a sustainable financial ecosystem.” The Digital Finance Excellence Award recognises organisations that have demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and impact in leveraging technology to transform financial services and drive financial inclusion. This recognition further reinforces Interswitch’s position as a trailblazer in digital finance and its commitment to driving growth, innovation, and inclusion across the continent. The APWBN Marquee Event 2026 featured an impressive lineup of distinguished speakers and industry leaders who shared perspectives on the future of finance in a rapidly evolving global economy and the evolving role of women in shaping the future of finance, with a strong focus on innovation, leadership, and inclusion. Speaking during the panel session, Oremeyi Akah highlighted the importance of customer-centric innovation in building resilient financial ecosystems and emphasised the critical role women continue to play in driving transformation across the sector. Interswitch continues to play a pivotal role in Africa’s digital payments landscape, providing secure, reliable, and innovative solutions that empower individuals, businesses, and governments.
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