Abayomi Susan
Nestlé Nigeria has convened government officials, healthcare professionals, development partners, academics, industry leaders, civil society organisations, and members of the media at the Nestlé for Good Summit 2026 — a strategic stakeholder platform dedicated to advancing collaborative and practical solutions aimed at improving nutrition outcomes, strengthening communities, and promoting sustainable food systems in Nigeria.
Against the backdrop of Nigeria’s evolving nutrition, public health, and food system challenges, the Summit served as a timely platform for cross-sector dialogue focused on driving scalable and sustainable impact.
Held in Lagos, the Summit attracted prominent stakeholders, including the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Lagos State, Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem, and the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, alongside representatives from development organisations, public health institutions, and the private sector.
Discussions at the Summit focused on practical approaches to improving nutrition across all life stages, strengthening local food systems, and fostering more resilient communities. Participants also examined the critical role of partnerships in addressing interconnected challenges related to nutrition, livelihoods, and environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria, Wassim Elhusseini, stated that the Summit reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to creating shared value.
“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 said.
He further noted that Nestlé for Good provides a more integrated expression of the company’s impact across key pillars including Nutrition, Thriving Communities, and the Planet.
In her keynote address, Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem commended Nestlé Nigeria for bringing stakeholders together around issues central to public wellbeing and economic development.
“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 said.
She also emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration among government, industry, development institutions, and local communities in achieving improved nutrition outcomes at scale.
Providing additional insight into the company’s sustainability approach, Victoria Uwadoka explained that the platform highlights the broad scope of Nestlé’s impact initiatives.
“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,” she said.
Also speaking at the Summit, Patricia Ekaba stressed the importance of long-term, systems-focused thinking.
“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,” she noted.
A major highlight of the Summit was an impact showcase featuring real-life stories from beneficiaries of Nestlé’s programmes in women empowerment, youth capability development, dairy development, and environmental sustainability. The showcase demonstrated how targeted interventions across the value chain are contributing to improved livelihoods, stronger communities, and more sustainable practices.
The event also offered stakeholders the opportunity to experience firsthand how Nestlé’s products and initiatives contribute to nutrition, livelihoods, and sustainability across different stages of the food system.
The Nestlé for Good Summit 2026 represents a significant milestone in deepening stakeholder engagement and strengthening partnerships capable of delivering measurable progress. As Nigeria continues to tackle complex nutrition and development challenges, Nestlé Nigeria says it remains committed to working collaboratively with stakeholders to implement practical solutions that improve quality of life at scale.
