Nigeria celebrates fortification champions at MFI Leadership Awards

NIGERIA – Nigeria’s leading millers were celebrated for their role in advancing food fortification and compliance during the 2025 Micronutrient Fortification Index (MFI) Leadership Awards, held on August 1 and organized by Millers for Nutrition.

The annual event brought together millers, policymakers, development partners, and industry leaders to honor companies fortifying staple foods such as wheat flour, edible oils, and sugar, in a bid to combat micronutrient deficiencies and improve public health.

Among the standout recognitions, West African Soy Industries Ltd. clinched the Highest Performing New Entrant Award and was also named Most Improved Miller.

The Pacesetter Recognition Award for DFQT+ adoption went to PZ Wilmar, Apple and Pears, Sunola, West African Soy Industries Ltd. (WASIL), Premium Edible Oils Ltd. (PEOPL) and Sunchi.

Apple and Pears was honored as Miller Personality of the Year, while Golden Terra Soya Oil, Golden Penny Prime Flour, and Dangote Sugar were celebrated as Vitamin A Compliance Champions in the edible oil, wheat flour, and sugar categories respectively.

The highly contested Top Five Excellence Awards saw Golden Terra Soya Oil in fifth place, Mama Gold Flour, Dangote Bread Flour, and Bakewell Flour sharing fourth, Power Oil and Emperor Oil taking third, Mamador Pure Vegetable Oil in second, and Golden Penny Prime Flour, Golden Penny Confectionary Flour, Classic All Purpose, and Superfine wheat flour jointly claiming the top position.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Sampson Ebimaro underscored the critical link between nutrition and economic growth.

“Without a strong population, you can possibly not do anything,” he said.

He added that the nutritional intakes we are making today add up to the outcome of our economy, noting that the economy by projection is growing by 3.4%, and the president has tasked the Ministry to get to double-digit growth. “We need the capacity of men and women to do that.”

Representing Vice President Kashim Shettima, Uju Rochas described malnutrition as a “national emergency” and praised the efforts of millers and industry partners for “proving to be custodians of health.”

She also highlighted the government’s Nutrition 774 initiative, which targets malnutrition in every local government area, with food fortification as a central strategy.

Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, represented by Olumuyiwa Ajayi-Ade, lauded the growth of the MFI from four participating companies in 2019 to 18 in 2025.

“Fortified staple foods remain an efficient and scalable intervention to improve dietary quality and support national development,” he said, announcing that the Ministry’s Nutrition Unit has been upgraded to a Division, with plans for a full Department to strengthen policy and accountability in food quality standards.

A panel session titled “Industry-Led Solutions for Improved Nutrition” explored strategies to scale up fortification, align regulatory frameworks, and foster innovation. Discussions emphasized the importance of collaboration between industry and government, continued technical support, and policies that sustain progress.

The event was supported by the Gates Foundation and global strategic fortification partners BASF, BioAnalyt, Bühler, dsm-firmenich, Mühlenchemie, and SternVitamin, along with regional partners Hexagon Nutrition, Piramal, and Sankul.

Organizers stressed that the awards aim to encourage millers to go beyond compliance, expanding access to fortified foods as a vital tool in Nigeria’s fight against malnutrition.

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