Olam Agri has restated its commitment to Nigeria’s food security as it celebrates 15 years of transformative impact since its acquisition of Crown Flour Mill (CFM).
The anniversary celebration, which attracted key operators in the manufacturing sector, leading government officials, partners and staff members, was held in Lagos.
The company has established itself as a leader in supporting the development of the food and agricultural sector. It has installed the first state-of-the-art premix facility in Nigeria, established extensive backwards integration that has empowered approximately 500 farmers, and partnered with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI) and top global crop researchers to promote local wheat production.
The managing director & business head of Olam Agri’s wheat milling and pasta business, Nitin Mehta said, “our strong profile of achievements in less than two decades of acquisition underlines our dedication to supporting the government’s New Hope Agenda for food security.
“The business growth under Olam Agri proves what’s possible with the right vision and investment. We’re building more than a milling operation; we are building a platform for inclusive development that uplifts employees, empowers partners, and delivers value to families across Nigeria. We remain committed to advancing innovation, nutrition, and access to affordable food.”
Country head for Olam Agri, Anil Nair said, “at Olam Agri, we focus on unlocking value for customers, enabling farming communities to prosper sustainably and strive for a food-secure future.
“With an extensive distribution network for staples and packaged foods across Nigeria, we continue to drive growth in local food production. Our strong performance over the last 15 years is a testament to our commitment to manufacturing excellence and national food security.”
Nair added that “we are filled with optimism and excitement for the future. We have a clear vision of where we want the business to be within the next decade. This is why we developed a 10-year roadmap for drought-resistant seed development to scale local wheat production. With the continued support of our team, we are confident in our ability to reach new heights.”
The anniversary provided a platform to celebrate the business achievements, recognise remarkable inputs by high-performing staff members, and acknowledge support from distributors and partners.
A retail channel member and distribution merchant, Femi Areo, said, “I have had the utmost joy in partnering with Olam Agri to distribute its products for these 15 years. It provides me with the right support by producing the best quality products, providing on-time delivery and retail channel value-added services that ensure I can deliver robust sales in our local marketplace. I am grateful for the business. The partnership has improved my income and livelihood.”
Femi Koya, a staff member who had been with the business since the acquisition, said, “this business gave me an invaluable career start. They provide me with a platform to contribute to raising the national food security level, contributing meaningfully to the economy and feeding my family while growing my career at the same time. Congratulations to us.”
CFM commenced milling operations in 1981 and since acquiring the business in 2010, Olam Agri has invested and grown to become the leading wheat milling and pasta manufacturer in Nigeria, and one of the leading millers in Africa.
