Rite Foods urges stakeholders to embrace clean energy as it hosts a high-level forum on Nigeria’s energy transition and sustainable industrial growth
Lagos, Nigeria – Rite Foods Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable manufacturing and clean energy adoption, challenging stakeholders to play active roles in Nigeria’s energy transition.
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The company made the call while marking the 2026 International Day of Clean Energy with a high-level multi-stakeholder engagement held at its head office in Opebi, Lagos.
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, sustainability advocates, suppliers, and the media.
The engagement focused on practical pathways for integrating renewable energy solutions across Nigeria’s fast-moving consumer goods sector, amid persistent power and sustainability challenges.
Rite Foods disclosed that 95 per cent of its energy consumption now comes from cleaner sources, including natural gas and solar power, with diesel accounting for only five per cent of its energy mix.
The shift has significantly reduced the company’s carbon footprint across its manufacturing operations.
Speaking at the event, the Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Ekuma Eze, described clean energy as central to Rite Foods’ long-term business strategy.
“At Rite Foods, clean energy is not optional; it is a strategic business imperative,” Eze said, adding that the company continues to pursue efficient and resilient energy solutions that support productivity and sustainability.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Seleem Adegunwa, in remarks delivered by the General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy, Mrs Barong Asiodu, said energy resilience remains critical to business continuity in Nigeria’s evolving manufacturing landscape.
Adegunwa noted that investments in clean energy reflect long-term thinking around competitiveness, cost efficiency, and responsible growth, while stressing the importance of shared learning across industries.
Delivering the keynote address, the Lagos State Governor’s Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Ms Titilayo Oshodi, described clean energy as both an environmental necessity and an economic opportunity for Nigeria.
She said Nigeria’s transition must align with the Paris Agreement, Sustainable Development Goal 7, and the nation’s Energy Transition Plan, which targets net-zero emissions by 2060.
Oshodi warned that while delayed transition carries serious health and environmental costs, a poorly financed rapid shift could strain economic stability.
She commended Rite Foods for convening the dialogue, describing it as a strong example of private-sector leadership in advancing Nigeria’s clean energy agenda.
A panel discussion featuring industry and sustainability experts examined policy frameworks, financing models, technological innovation, and collaboration as drivers of sustainable industrial growth.
Rite Foods’ General Manager, Operations, Mr Olufemi Ajileye, said clean energy investments improve operational efficiency, lower long-term costs, and strengthen manufacturing competitiveness.
He explained that disciplined energy management, modern equipment, and process optimisation have helped the company achieve low energy intensity per unit of production, outperforming typical industry benchmarks.
The event also featured goodwill messages from representatives of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Food and Beverages Recycling Alliance, Sterling One Foundation, and GZI Industries, who emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships in accelerating Nigeria’s clean energy transition.
Experts at the forum agreed that Nigeria’s clean energy shift must be balanced, inclusive, and data-driven to unlock innovation, green jobs, and sustainable economic growth.
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Rite Foods’ sustainability leadership has earned the company multiple industry recognitions, reinforcing its position as a proudly Nigerian brand driving responsible and future-focused growth.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
