Nestlé drives cross-sector dialogue on public nutrition

Nestlé Nigeria Plc has convened government representatives, healthcare professionals, and industry leaders at its 2026 Nestlé for Good Summit in Lagos to advance collaborative solutions aimed at improving public nutrition outcomes and strengthening local food systems.

The dialogue focused on addressing Nigeria’s evolving public health and nutritional challenges through sustained partnerships across the food value chain.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Wassim Elhusseini, said delivering good food consistently and at scale requires strong, interconnected infrastructure.

Elhusseini said, “At Nestlé, we are guided by a simple but powerful purpose: to unlock the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come. Delivering good food consistently and at scale depends on strong systems across the value chain, from responsible sourcing and manufacturing to distribution, livelihoods, capability development, and environmental sustainability.”

He added that the platform provided a clearer expression of how the corporate organisation delivered targeted impacts across nutrition, thriving communities, and environmental sustainability.

The Lagos State Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, commended the initiative, noting that nutritional frameworks directly influence broader economic indicators.

Ambrose-Medebem said, “The conversations we are having today are not only about food. They are about human capital, productivity, public health, economic growth, and ultimately, the future of our society.”

She added that long-term cross-sector collaboration remained vital to achieving nutritional improvements at a scale that positively affected grassroots populations.

The Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria, Victoria Uwadoka, explained that the framework was designed to unify individual corporate social responsibility footprints into a cohesive ecosystem.

Uwadoka said, “Nestlé for Good is not simply about showcasing individual initiatives. It is about demonstrating how our products, sourcing, partnerships, and community investments connect in practical ways to support healthier lives and more resilient communities.”

The Head of Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability for Central and West Africa, Patricia Ekaba, noted that sustainable systemic adjustments were critical for enduring social progress.

Ekaba said, “Sustainable progress requires looking beyond short-term interventions. Business growth and social progress are interconnected, and lasting impact comes from creating value for both the business and the communities it serves.”

The summit concluded with an impact showcase highlighting real-world beneficiaries of the organisation’s regional initiatives in youth capability development, dairy integration, women’s empowerment, and agricultural sustainability.