Susan Abayomi
MAGGI has strengthened its connection with women across South-East Nigeria through an expanded 2026 August Meeting engagement that brought together 19,670 women across five states.
The annual August Meeting tradition provides women with an important platform to reconnect, discuss issues affecting their families and communities, and celebrate the cultural ties that bind them. This year, MAGGI deepened its participation by combining the celebrations with culinary activities, practical nutrition education and community engagement.
As part of the initiative, MAGGI collaborated with 30 women’s associations and organised five market activations across the South-East. The expanded programme more than doubled participation compared with the previous year, making it the brand’s largest August Meeting engagement so far.
The celebrations continued with special receptions featuring cooking competitions, music, gifts and appearances by South-East-born actresses Ruby Ojiakor, Blessing Obasi and Blessing Onwukwe, who each brought a personal connection to the region’s culture and the significance of August Meeting.
Food remained at the centre of the celebrations, with culinary sessions offering participants new ideas for preparing familiar dishes. Cooking competitions also provided an opportunity for women to demonstrate their creativity and culinary skills.
Beyond entertainment, the programme included practical nutrition discussions designed to help families make informed food choices while working within household budgets. Participants discussed the importance of balanced and varied diets, essential micronutrients such as iron, and practical approaches to family meal planning.
The sessions also highlighted the contribution fortified foods can make as part of a diverse diet, including MAGGI products fortified with iron.
Commenting on the initiative, Funmi Osineye, Category Manager, Culinary, Nestlé Nigeria, said the August Meeting represented an important avenue for celebrating women and their contribution to families and communities.
“August Meeting is a powerful expression of the role women play in strengthening families, preserving traditions and driving progress in their communities. It also creates an important space for women to come together, learn from one another and share experiences,” she said.
According to Osineye, MAGGI’s participation carries particular significance as the brand marks 60 years in Nigeria.
“For MAGGI, being part of this enduring tradition is especially meaningful as we mark 60 years in Nigeria. It is an opportunity to celebrate the women who have been part of our journey while creating an experience that brings together culinary inspiration, practical nutrition knowledge and the shared joy of food and community,” she added.
The celebrations also received positive feedback from participants and guests across the participating states.
Blessing Onwukwe, who attended the celebrations in Enugu and Ebonyi states, described the experience as memorable.
“Joining the 2026 August Meeting celebrations in Enugu and Ebonyi States was a wonderful experience. I enjoyed every moment and am truly glad to have had the opportunity to be part of the celebrations in both states,” she said.
Christianna Nwibo, an Executive of the Catholic Women Organization, Nwofe, Ebonyi State, also praised the initiative.
“We really enjoyed the MAGGI experience at our August Meeting. The food was delicious, the gifts were wonderful, and we had such a good time,” she said.
Over its more than six decades in Nigeria, MAGGI has continued to build relationships with consumers through food, community engagement and cultural platforms. Women have remained central to this relationship, particularly through activities that connect the brand with everyday cooking, family life and community traditions.
The 2026 August Meeting engagement forms part of that longstanding connection. As MAGGI celebrates 60 years in Nigeria, the brand said it remains committed to engaging new generations while celebrating the people, food and traditions that have contributed to its journey.
About Nestlé Nigeria
Nestlé Nigeria is a leading food and beverage company committed to unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone today and for future generations. Its portfolio includes well-known brands such as NESTLÉ PURELIFE, GOLDEN MORN, MILO, MAGGI and NESCAFÉ, serving consumers across Nigeria with a range of food and beverage products.
