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Nestlé Professional Celebrates and Empowers Women Entrepreneurs in the Food Industry in Benin

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In commemoration of International Women’s Day, Nestlé Professional, the Out of Home
business arm of Nestlé Nigeria, successfully hosted the 10th edition of its Business of Food
workshop in Benin. This initiative has transformed and equipped over 2,000 food businesses
across Nigeria in the last three years, providing essential skills and knowledge to enhance
operations, drive growth, and increase income.
This edition of the Business of Food workshop focused on empowering and uniting over 200
female industry experts, restaurant operators, seasoned chefs, culinary school students,
street food vendors, caterers, and grillers. Recognizing their vital role in serving their
communities, the workshop provided participants with free hands-on training in culinary
techniques, menu development, customer engagement, and hygiene best practices, along
with the resources necessary to thrive in their businesses.
In line with the theme “Accelerate Action” for International Women’s Day, this initiative
underscores the urgent need to empower women and drive gender equality in the food
industry, enabling them to take meaningful steps towards success and community impact.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Funmi Osineye, Business Manager for Nestlé Professional in
Nigeria, stated: “Food vendors play a vital role in providing essential nutrition to their
communities. Over the course of 10 editions of this workshop in various states, we have
received numerous testimonials, particularly from women whose businesses have
experienced significant growth. This is why as the world unites to accelerate action in
creating more opportunities for women to thrive, we are excited to offer this workshop, which
empowers them to build sustainable businesses and enhance their impact in this vital sector.
Additionally, we aim to foster networking opportunities that enable women to forge valuable
business connections and collaborations.”
For the first time in the series, this edition included a panel discussion with prominent figures
in the food industry. Here, Princess Esther Eruanga, Deputy Director of the Ministry of
Women Affairs and Social Development, Edo State and Dame Joy Ozigbo Ideh, Founder of
Edo Caterers and Managing Director of 70’s Grill Caterers, shared their inspiring journeys
and offered actionable insights on overcoming challenges in the sector.
Applauding the initiative, Princess Esther Eruanga said, “The workshop aligns with this
year’s International Women’s Day theme, emphasizing the crucial role women play in
shaping communities and economies. By empowering female food entrepreneurs, the event
supports broader efforts to create a more inclusive and thriving food ecosystem.”
Another major highlight of the event was a masterclass hosted by celebrity Chef Vivian,
Managing Director of Wedding and Things Events, which showcased practical skills and
techniques designed to enhance the participants’ business operations. Feedback from

attendees indicated significant improvements in their understanding of essential business
practices, paving the way for better service delivery and increased sales.
Adai Favour from Caviar Culinary Art Schools stated, “I really learned a lot during the panel
discussions from the professionals. This experience will help me when I start my own food
kitchen in the future.”
The event not only celebrated the achievements of women in the food industry but also
reinforced Nestlé Professional’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where
women can thrive. Through initiatives like the Business of Food workshop, Nestlé continues
to support and empower entrepreneurs in building successful businesses.

About Nestlé Professional:
Nestlé Professional is the Out-of-Home arm of Nestle and it focuses on providing innovative, high-
quality food and beverage solutions to the out-of-home, or foodservice, industry in Nigeria. This
division caters to a wide range of customers, including restaurants, hotels, cafes, offices, catering
companies, coffee shops and other foodservice providers. Our Vision is to be the trusted partner of
choice in ​Out-of-Home, by providing affordable and nutritious food and beverage solutions that help
our customers win.

About Nestlé:
Nestlé Nigeria is Africa’s top food and beverage company, known for its quality, excellence, and
commitment to creating shared value. With a heritage of more than 63 years in Nigeria and its house-
hold brands, the firm continues to ensure the availability and accessibility of nutritious food and
beverage products. In addition, the firm supports the communities closest to its operations and takes
action to safeguard the environment through sustainable business practices.
With over 2,300 direct employees, 3 factories and 7 branch offices across Nigeria, Nestlé produces
and markets iconic brands including Maggi, Milo, Golden Morn, Nestlé Pure Life and Cerelac.

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Nestlé Nigeria Convenes Stakeholders at Nestlé for Good Summit to Advance Nutrition, Community, and Sustainable Food Systems Agenda

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Captions: Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria,(left); Patricia Ekaba, Head of Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability for Central and West Africa,(middle); Mrs Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem, Honourable Commissioner, Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Lagos State; Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director and CEO of Nestlé Nigeria PLC, at the Nestle for Good Summit held in Lagos, recently

Nestlé Nigeria has convened government representatives, healthcare professionals, development partners, academia, industry leaders, civil society organisations, and the media at the Nestlé for Good Summit 2026, a stakeholder platform focused on advancing practical, collaborative solutions to improve nutrition outcomes, strengthen communities, and support more sustainable food systems in Nigeria. At a time when Nigeria continues to navigate evolving nutrition, public health, and food system challenges, the Summit provided a timely forum for cross-sector dialogue on how to drive meaningful and scalable impact. Held in Lagos, the Summit brought together key stakeholders including the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Lagos State, Mrs. Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem, and the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, alongside leaders from development organisations, public health institutions, and the private sector. The discussions centered on practical pathways to improving nutrition across the life stages, strengthening local food systems, and building more resilient communities. Participants explored the role of partnerships in addressing interconnected challenges spanning nutrition, livelihoods, and environmental sustainability. Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria PLC, Wassim Elhusseini, said the Summit reflects Nestlé’s long-standing belief that creating shared value is fundamental to how the company operates. “At Nestlé, we are guided by a simple but powerful purpose: to unlock the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come. Delivering good food consistently and at scale depends on strong systems across the value chain — from responsible sourcing and manufacturing to distribution, livelihoods, capability development, and environmental sustainability,” he said. He added that Nestlé for Good provides a clearer, more connected expression of how the company delivers impact across Nutrition, Thriving Communities, and the Planet. In her keynote address, the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem, commended Nestlé Nigeria for convening stakeholders around issues critical to both public wellbeing and economic development. “The conversations we are having today are not only about food. They are about human capital, productivity, public health, economic growth, and ultimately, the future of our society,” she said. She also underscored the importance of sustained collaboration across government, industry, development institutions, and communities in delivering improved nutrition outcomes at scale. Providing further perspective on the company’s approach, Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria, noted that the platform helps bring together the full scope of Nestlé’s impact. “Nestlé for Good is not simply about showcasing individual initiatives. It is about demonstrating how our products, sourcing, partnerships, and community investments connect in practical ways to support healthier lives and more resilient communities,” she said.Also speaking, Patricia Ekaba, Head of Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability for Central and West Africa, highlighted the importance of long-term, system-focused thinking. “Sustainable progress requires looking beyond short-term interventions. Business growth and social progress are interconnected, and lasting impact comes from creating value for both the business and the communities it serves,” she said. A key feature of the Summit was an impact showcase, where participants engaged with real stories of beneficiaries connected to Nestlé’s initiatives in women empowerment, youth capability development, dairy development, and environmental sustainability. These stories illustrated how targeted interventions across the value chain are contributing to improved livelihoods, stronger communities, and more sustainable practices. The Summit also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to experience how Nestlé’s products and initiatives contribute to nutrition, livelihoods, and sustainability across different stages of the food system. The Nestlé for Good Summit marks an important step in deepening dialogue and strengthening partnerships that can translate into measurable progress. As Nigeria continues to address complex nutrition and development challenges, Nestlé Nigeria remains committed to working collaboratively with stakeholders to drive practical solutions that improve quality of life at scale.

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Quickteller, Verve Champion Storytelling Excellence at the 12th AMVCAs

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L-R; Lateef Adedimeji, Actor; and Dr. Cherry Eromosele, Executive Vice President, Group Marketing and Communications, Interswitch, presenting the Best Writing (Movie and Series) award, sponsored by Verve, at the 12th AMVCAs which held recently in Lagos.

The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) brought together the very best of African film and television in a vibrant celebration of storytelling, creativity, and cultural expression, while also highlighting the systems that help make experiences like this seamless and engaging.

As one of Africa’s most influential entertainment events, the AMVCAs once again convened the continent’s leading creatives and industry voices in Lagos, Nigeria for a weekend that spotlighted excellence, creativity, and the expanding reach of African film and television.  At the heart of this year’s AMVCA activities were Quickteller and Verve, Interswitch’s flagship brands, both of which played a strategic role in enhancing engagement and elevating key moments across the event.

The brands’ involvement went beyond visibility. Quickteller and Verve sponsored three key category awards that celebrate the depth and craftsmanship behind African storytelling. Quickteller backed the Best Music Score category award, while Verve supported both Best Writing in a Movie category award and Best Writing in a TV Series category award, recognising the creative brilliance behind the music and storytelling that shape unforgettable screen experiences.

The Best Music Score category award featured an impressive lineup of nominees, including Duval Timothy and CJ Mirra for their work in ‘My Father’s Shadow’, Nissi Ogulu for ‘Cold Dishes, and Tolu Obanro, recognised for both ‘Gingerrr and ‘The Party. On the awards night, Duval Timothy and CJ Mirra  emerged as the winners for their work in the movie, ‘My Father’s Shadow, a testament to the power of music in shaping cinematic storytelling.

In the writing categories, the spotlight fell on the creative minds shaping Africa’s film and television narratives. From ‘The Herd and ‘Blackout to ‘MTV Shuga Mashariki’ and ‘The Party, the diversity and strength of storytelling on display reflected an industry that continues to evolve in both depth and global relevance. Wale Davies took home the award for Best Writing in a Movie for his work in ‘My Father’s Shadow’, while Annette Shadeya, Natasha Likimani, Mkamzee Mwatela, Arnold Mwanjila, and Makgano Mamabolo won the Best Writing in a TV Series award for their work in the TV Series, ‘MTV Shuga Mashariki’, further highlighting the richness of African storytelling.

Interswitch’s support for the AMVCAs was underscored by a high-level delegation on the AMVCA stage; Dr. Cherry Eromosele, Executive Vice President, Group Marketing and Communications, presented the Best Writing in a Movie category award while Franklin Ali, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, presented the Best Music Score category award.

Together, these appearances reinforced a simple but powerful message that supporting creativity means showing up, not just in name, but in presence and participation. Beyond the awards, Interswitch extended its presence across key moments of the AMVCA experience.

At the Cultural Day celebration held at Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, the vibrancy of African heritage set the tone for a weekend that celebrated identity as much as achievement. This energy carried through to the main awards ceremony at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, where storytelling, style, and spectacle came together in a seamless blend of culture and entertainment.

Across both touchpoints, Interswitch delivered engaging on-site activations that connected guests with the capabilities of Quickteller and Verve. The AMVCAs are no longer just a celebration of African storytelling; they are a reflection of a growing creative economy.

For Interswitch, supporting this platform is part of a broader commitment to enabling the ecosystems where culture, creativity, and commerce intersect. Through Quickteller and Verve, the company continues to enable access, participation, and meaningful experiences across industries that shape everyday life. And at this year’s AMVCAs, both brands played a role in supporting the stories, talent, and creativity that brought the celebration to life.

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Interswitch Deepens Support for Federal Revenue Collection on RevOP Platform

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Interswitch, one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce company, has reinforced its role in supporting Federal Government revenue collection through its continued participation as a Payment Service Solution Provider (PSSP) on the Revenue Assurance and Optimization Platform (RevOP). The move underscores Interswitch’s ongoing contribution to strengthening public sector payment infrastructure and supporting Treasury Single Account (TSA) collections in Nigeria. It also reflects the Federal Government’s sustained push to improve transparency, enhance revenue assurance, and enable real-time visibility into collections across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Through its integration with the RevOP platform, Interswitch continues to enable secure, end-to-end processing of payments initiated via the portal. Transactions are seamlessly routed into the TSA framework, ensuring compliance with Federal Government financial regulations while supporting efficient and accountable revenue management. Leveraging its robust payment infrastructure, Interswitch facilitates multiple payment channels, including card and digital payments, delivering a seamless and reliable experience for citizens, businesses, and government agencies fulfilling their payment obligations. Speaking on the development, Muyiwa Asagba, Managing Director, INCLUSIO at Interswitch, said the company remains committed to supporting government-led financial reforms through secure and efficient payment solutions. “Interswitch is proud to continue supporting the Federal Government’s drive toward greater transparency and efficiency in public revenue management. Our role on the RevOP platform reflects our commitment to delivering secure, seamless, and compliant payment infrastructure that enables all stakeholders to meet their obligations with confidence,” he said. Interswitch’s continued role on the platform builds on its longstanding experience in supporting critical national payment infrastructure and collaborating with regulatory and financial institutions to drive digital transformation across Nigeria’s public sector. Its infrastructure is designed to ensure high transaction uptime, real-time processing, and secure data handling, all essential for effective public revenue collection. By deepening its participation on the RevOP platform, Interswitch further strengthens its position as a trusted partner within Nigeria’s evolving digital payments ecosystem, while continuing to support initiatives that promote fiscal transparency, operational efficiency, and sustainable governance across government institutions.

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