Rite Foods Limited, the proudly Nigerian fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) manufacturer, has reiterated its commitment to sustainable manufacturing and clean energy adoption, marking the 2026 International Day of Clean Energy with a high-level multi-stakeholder engagement on Nigeria’s energy transition and sustainable industrial growth.
The forum, themed “Nigeria’s Clean Energy Transition: Balancing Risks, Trade-offs and Opportunities for Sustainable Growth,” brought together government officials, regulators, energy experts, manufacturers, suppliers, sustainability advocates, and members of the media to explore practical approaches to integrating renewable energy solutions across Nigeria’s FMCG sector. The engagement was held at the company’s head office in Opebi, Lagos.
As a market leader in the FMCG space, Rite Foods continues to deploy cleaner and more efficient energy solutions across its manufacturing operations, significantly reducing its carbon footprint while maintaining consistent delivery of its award-winning product portfolio nationwide. The company said this approach demonstrates how operational resilience can be achieved alongside environmental responsibility within Nigeria’s challenging power environment.
Speaking at the event, Ekuma Eze, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Rite Foods, who declared the forum open, described clean energy as central to the company’s long-term business strategy.
“At Rite Foods, clean energy is not optional; it is a strategic business imperative. Our approach acknowledges the realities of industrial operations in Nigeria while deliberately pursuing cleaner, more efficient, and more resilient energy solutions that support sustainability, productivity, and business continuity,” he said.
Rite Foods disclosed that 95 per cent of its total energy consumption is derived from cleaner sources, including natural gas and solar power, with diesel accounting for only five per cent of its energy mix. According to the company, this transition has substantially reduced reliance on more carbon-intensive fuels across its manufacturing facilities.
In his opening remarks, delivered by Mrs. Barong Asiodu, General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to embedding sustainability into its long-term growth agenda while aligning strong business performance with environmental responsibility.
“For us at Rite Foods, energy is a business continuity priority. As the manufacturing landscape evolves, companies must proactively strengthen their energy resilience while reducing environmental impact. Our investments in cleaner energy reflect disciplined long-term thinking about competitiveness, efficiency, and responsible growth. More importantly, we recognise that industry progress accelerates when stakeholders share knowledge and align on practical pathways forward,” Adegunwa said.
Delivering the keynote address, Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy to the Governor of Lagos State, described clean energy as both an environmental necessity and a strategic economic opportunity for Nigeria.
She explained that Nigeria’s clean energy transition requires a deliberate move away from fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and diesel towards sustainable sources, including solar, wind, and hydropower, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 7, the Paris Agreement, and Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, which targets net-zero emissions by 2060.
Oshodi highlighted Nigeria’s current energy challenges, including limited electricity access, heavy dependence on biomass for cooking, and the health and environmental impacts of prolonged generator and firewood use. She noted that while delayed transition carries significant costs to public health, forests and emissions levels, a poorly financed rapid transition could also threaten economic stability.
Commending Rite Foods for convening the dialogue, Oshodi described the engagement as timely and impactful, praising the company’s private-sector leadership in advancing Nigeria’s clean energy agenda. She added that industry-led initiatives play a critical role in strengthening economic growth, industrial resilience and Africa’s global competitiveness.
She also outlined ongoing national and sub-national initiatives, including the implementation of the Energy Transition Plan, expansion of domestic solar manufacturing, the issuance of a ₦50 billion green bond, and Lagos State clean energy projects such as solar street lighting, solar-powered public facilities, electric public transport systems, biodigesters and the 80 million Clean Cookstoves Initiative.
A panel session featuring Olufemi Ajileye, General Manager, Operations, Rite Foods; Olumide Idowu, climate advocate; Shofela Akinbode, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Special Duties and Climate Change; and Eustace Onuegbu, corporate social responsibility and sustainability expert, examined policy frameworks, technological innovation, financing models and the role of collaboration in driving sustainable industrial development.
Speaking on the operational implications of clean energy adoption, Femi Ajileye, General Manager, Operations, Rite Foods Limited, said sustainability is deeply embedded in the company’s production systems.
“Clean and efficient energy systems are fundamentally about smarter operations. Investments in energy efficiency in the long run lower total cost of ownership, even if initial capital costs are higher. They also reduce maintenance costs and improve asset lifespan, which in-turn, enhance predictability in energy spending.
“For a manufacturer like us, this translates into stronger cost leadership, improved margins, and the ability to reinvest savings into innovation, quality, and market expansion,” he stated.
Beyond energy sourcing, Rite Foods has implemented disciplined energy management practices that deliver low energy intensity per unit of production, outperforming typical industry benchmarks. Continuous investments in modern equipment, automation and process optimisation have further enhanced cost efficiency, reduced environmental impact and strengthened manufacturing competitiveness.
The event also featured goodwill messages from representatives of the Food and Beverages Recycling Alliance, the Federal Ministry of Environment, Sterling One Foundation and GZI Industries, underscoring the importance of strong public-private partnerships in accelerating Nigeria’s clean energy transition.
Experts at the forum agreed that Nigeria’s shift to clean energy must be balanced, inclusive and data-driven, moving from linear energy consumption to circular systems that promote innovation, green jobs and wider access to sustainable energy.
“If managed wisely, clean energy will not slow Nigeria’s growth rather it will redefine it,” they concluded.
Rite Foods’ leadership in sustainability and innovation has earned the company several accolades, including Outstanding FMCG Corporate Brand of the Year at the Edge Awards, alongside multiple honours at the Sustainability, Innovation and Social Impact Awards and the SERAS Awards, reinforcing its position as a proudly Nigerian brand championing responsible and future-focused growth.
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