By Moses Nosike

As a multinational company, Nestle business operation in Nigeria has impacted immensely on healthcare, community empowerment, youth development, education, local farmers etc. using its quality nutritional products to promote healthy living in a country where poverty and food insecurity abound. Nestle’s role in tackling malnutrition goes far beyond profit-making. The company is gradually reshaping the narrative by integrating science-backed nutritional strategies into its product development process, with the goal of enhancing the health and wellbeing of Nigerian consumers across all life stages.

At a recent “Nutrition for All Life Stages” workshop held at its Agbara factory in Ogun State, Nestlé Nigeria assembled leading nutrition experts, dietitians, and journalists to spotlight the intersection of food, health, and accessibility in a low-income economy. From fortification to affordability and public health education, the company is demonstrating that nutritious food does not have to be a luxury.

In her lecture during the workshop, Dr. Kanalio Olaloku of the Nestlé Nutrition Institute, Central West Africa Region, said, “malnutrition is a time bomb in Nigeria,” with the country grappling with alarming rates of undernutrition, stunting, wasting, and increasingly, obesity and iron-deficiency anemia.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 2 million children are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2025, up from 1.74 million in 2024. These statistics underscore the urgency of the nutrition crisis, particularly in the North-East, where conflict and displacement further compound food scarcity.

But rather than wait for policy changes or global donations, Nestlé is integrating action into its production chain, innovating with a key focus on fortified, affordable, and locally relevant food options.

She  emphasised that over 95% of Nestlé Nigeria’s products are fortified to provide at least 15% of the daily nutrient requirements in just one serving.

These products are fortified with essential micronutrients commonly lacking in Nigerian diets. For instance, Iron, which is critical in preventing anemia, particularly in women and children is not left out in the fortification of its food products.  

This same goes with Vitamin A which is vital for vision, immune function, and child development. In a similar vein is Zinc, essentially known for immune health and cellular repair as well as Iodine which is important for brain development and thyroid function. As gathered at the Workshop, not a few minerals and vitamins are integrated as means of fortification into Nestle food products.

Additional nutrients such as Vitamin C, Calcium, and Phosphorus which also part of the formula, offering a well-rounded nutritional profile to consumers from all economic backgrounds are not left out in the company’s food products.

This approach is particularly critical for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women. Dr. Pat Chimah-Madubuko, a dietitian and nutrition facilitator at the workshop, explained how energy requirements increase during pregnancy, particularly in the second and third trimesters.

A pregnant woman needs about 340 to 452 more calories per day in the later stages of pregnancy, Chimah-Madubuko noted. However, this does not mean eating for two in quantity, but rather in nutrient density. This is where fortified products like Nestlé’s Golden Morn and Maggi cubes come into play.

Golden Morn, one of Nestlé’s flagship cereals in Nigeria, is not just a staple breakfast item, it is a vehicle for nutrition.

Made from locally sourced whole maize and soya, Golden Morn is fortified with Iron and Vitamin A, providing an affordable and convenient way for children, teenagers, and even pregnant women to meet part of their daily requirements.

Each 50g serving of Golden Morn provides 15–20% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of Iron, and has up to 25% RDA of Vitamin A, and it is made of plant-based protein from Soya and complex carbohydrates from whole grains for energy. 

For many low-income households, a bowl of Golden Morn is not just a breakfast, it is an accessible source of balanced nutrition. And the fact that it is produced using locally grown grains supports local agriculture and reduces import dependency.

While many may see Maggi simply as a flavor enhancer, Nestlé has reengineered this household staple into a silent nutritional ally. Given that nearly every Nigerian dish includes a seasoning cube, this presents an ingenious opportunity to improve population-wide nutrition without altering eating habits.

In the same vein, Maggi cubes in Nigeria are now fortified with Iron and Iodine, two nutrients commonly deficient in the average Nigerian diet. Iron helps prevent iron-deficiency anemia, particularly among women of reproductive age and Iodine supports mental development and hormonal balance.

This strategy, known as “food vehicle fortification”, relies on adding nutrients to widely consumed products to quietly bridge nutritional gaps. The benefit? Consumers get better nutrition without any added cost or behavioral change.

According to the company’s Corporate Affairs Manager, Ms. Toju Egbebi, Nestlé’s commitment extends beyond the shelf and into communities.

“We continue to provide healthy nutrition for all while creating a safe environment and partnerships for sustainability,” she stated at the workshop.

Nestlé Nigeria’s nutrition education programs, targeted at mothers, school children, and communities, focus on Importance of balanced meals using available foods, Hygiene and food safety practices and Awareness about hidden hunger and micronutrient deficiencies

One example is the Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK) initiative, which has educated over 60,000 children and 1,000 teachers in Nigeria on healthy eating and active lifestyles.

The company recognises that the average Nigerian consumer may not afford imported cereals or supplements, but they will use a seasoning cube or eat porridge.

This strategy is particularly crucial in rural and low-income urban areas where formal healthcare and supplements are scarce. Here, Nestlé’s fortified products serve as both first-line prevention tools and affordable nutrition solutions.

Nestlé’s efforts also intersect with sustainability. By sourcing raw materials like maize and soya locally for Golden Morn, the company supports over 41,000 farmers through its agricultural programs, providing training and guaranteeing off-take to improve livelihoods.

Moreover, Nestlé’s sustainability strategy incorporates reduced sodium and sugar across product lines, transitioning to environmentally friendly packaging, water conservation and clean energy initiatives at factories. These efforts reflect a holistic vision, good food, good life, and a good planet.

In a country where the struggle to eat is real and persistent, Nestlé Nigeria’s method of embedding nutrition into everyday, affordable foods is not just commendable, it is essential.