By Ayomide Otitoju
Rite Foods Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable manufacturing and clean energy adoption as it marked the 2026 International Day of Clean Energy with a high-level multi-stakeholder engagement focused on Nigeria’s energy transition and sustainable industrialisation.
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 pathways for integrating renewable energy solutions across Nigeria’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. The event was held at the company’s head office in Opebi, Lagos.
Rite Foods disclosed that 95 per cent of its energy consumption is derived from cleaner sources, including natural gas and solar power, with diesel accounting for just five per cent of its energy mix. The company said the shift has significantly reduced its carbon footprint while supporting operational resilience within Nigeria’s challenging power environment.
Speaking at the event, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Rite Foods, Ekuma Eze, described clean energy as central to the company’s long-term business strategy, noting that sustainability and productivity remain core priorities.
“Clean energy is not optional; it is a strategic business imperative for us. While acknowledging the realities of industrial operations in Nigeria, we are deliberately pursuing cleaner, more efficient and resilient energy solutions that support sustainability, productivity and business continuity,” Eze said.
In his opening remarks, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Rite Foods, Mr Seleem Adegunwa, represented by the General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy, Mrs Barong Asiodu, said the company remains committed to embedding sustainability into its growth plans while aligning strong business performance with environmental responsibility.
Adegunwa noted that energy resilience has become critical for manufacturers, stressing that investments in cleaner energy reflect long-term thinking around competitiveness, efficiency and responsible growth, as well as the importance of knowledge-sharing and collaboration across the industry.
Delivering the keynote address, the Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy to the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Titilayo Oshodi, described clean energy as both an environmental necessity and a strategic economic opportunity for Nigeria. She outlined the need for a deliberate transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources 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 energy challenges, including limited electricity access and heavy reliance on biomass, warning that delayed transition poses significant health, environmental and economic risks. She, however, cautioned that a poorly financed rapid transition could also strain economic stability.
Commending Rite Foods for convening the dialogue, Oshodi said private-sector leadership remains critical to advancing Nigeria’s clean energy agenda, adding that industry-led initiatives play a key role in strengthening industrial resilience and economic growth.
A panel discussion featuring industry and sustainability experts examined policy frameworks, technological innovation, financing models and the role of collaboration in driving sustainable industrial growth. Speakers agreed that cleaner energy systems enhance operational efficiency, reduce long-term costs and improve competitiveness for manufacturers.
Rite Foods also highlighted its disciplined energy management practices, continuous investments in modern equipment and process optimisation, which it said have resulted in low energy intensity per unit of production and reduced environmental impact.
The event 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.
Participants at the forum concluded that Nigeria’s clean energy transition must be balanced, inclusive and data-driven, noting that when managed effectively, clean energy can redefine economic growth rather than hinder it.
Rite Foods’ sustainability and innovation efforts have earned the company several industry recognitions, including Outstanding FMCG Corporate Brand of the Year at the Edge Awards, as well as multiple honours at the SISA and SERAS Awards.
