Firm Bets On Local Processing To Tackle Nigeria’s Food Supply Challenges

As concerns over food security, rising food prices and supply chain inefficiencies continued to dominate national discourse, Sujimoto Group has stated that its entry into Nigeria’s agro-industrial sector with plans to establish a large-scale food manufacturing operation capable of processing up to one million tonnes of food products annually.

The real estate developer firm disclosed that it has partnered with China’s leading food machinery manufacturer, Cotco Food Machinery OEM, to develop a state-of-the-art food processing system aimed at strengthening local production and improving food availability for Nigeria’s growing population. This is even as the company said the initiative was informed by the country’s estimated annual food consumption of about 330 million tonnes and the need to deepen domestic processing capacity to support food security and economic growth.

Speaking on the development, the Group Managing Director of Sujimoto, Dr Sijibomi Ogundele, said the company intends to replicate the quality standards that distinguished it in the real estate sector within the food manufacturing industry.

“Just as we have distinguished ourselves in the real estate sector through an unwavering commitment to quality and excellence, we intend to apply the same principles in food manufacturing,” he stated.

He, however, added, “Sujimoto Foods is embarking on the establishment of a state-of-the-art food manufacturing operation, including about 1,000,000 tonnes within the food value chain annually. Our goal is simple: to deliver high-quality food production to millions of Nigerians while contributing meaningfully to national food security, industrial growth, and economic development.

“We believe that the same dedication, professionalism, and attention to detail that have made us successful in real estate will position us as a major force in Nigeria’s food industry.”

Stakeholders in Agri-business have consistently argued that increased investment in food processing and value addition remains critical to reducing post-harvest losses, strengthening agricultural supply chains and lowering dependence on imported food products. Meanwhile, analysts note that private sector participation in agro-processing could help bridge existing gaps in the country’s food ecosystem, create jobs and support broader economic diversification efforts.

Consequently, Sujimoto maintained that premium real estate remains central to its business strategy, citing the completion of projects and ongoing work on other projects. Also, he expressed appreciation to its clients and partners, noting that their continued support has provided the foundation for its expansion into new sectors of the economy.