Rite Foods Calls for Accelerated Clean Energy Adoption at 2026 International Day of Clean Energy Forum
From Left: David Solarin, Director, Water Regulatory Enforcement and Advocacy, Ogun State Ministry of Environment; Ekuma Eze, Head of Corporate Communications and Sustainability, Rite Foods Limited; Olumide Idowu, Clean Energy Advocate; Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy to the Governor of Lagos State; Dumebi Azubuike, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Expert; Barong Asiodu, General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy, Rite Foods Limited; and Olufemi Ajileye, General Manager, Rite Foods Limited; during the stakeholders’ forum on the International Day of Clean Energy organised by Rite Foods Limited, at the company’s headquarters in Lagos, on Friday, 30th January 2026.
Lagos, Nigeria — Rite Foods Limited, a proudly Nigerian and world-class fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company, has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable manufacturing and clean energy adoption, as it convened a high-level multi-stakeholders’ forum to mark the 2026 International Day of Clean Energy, challenging industry players to embrace Nigeria’s energy transition agenda.
The engagement, themed “Nigeria’s Clean Energy Transition: Balancing Risks, Trade-offs and Opportunities for Sustainable Growth,” was held at the company’s Head Office in Opebi, Lagos, and brought together government officials, regulators, energy experts, manufacturers, suppliers, sustainability advocates, and the media to explore practical pathways for integrating renewable energy solutions across Nigeria’s FMCG sector.
As a leading manufacturer, Rite Foods highlighted its ongoing investments in cleaner and more efficient energy solutions across its operations, aimed at reducing carbon emissions while ensuring operational resilience in Nigeria’s challenging power environment.
Declaring the event open, Ekuma Eze, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Rite Foods, described clean energy as central to the company’s long-term business strategy.
> “At Rite Foods, clean energy is not optional; it is a strategic business imperative. Our approach acknowledges the realities of industrial operations in Nigeria while deliberately pursuing cleaner, more efficient, and more resilient energy solutions that support sustainability, productivity, and business continuity,” Eze said.
The company disclosed that 95 per cent of its energy consumption is sourced from cleaner alternatives, including natural gas and solar power, with diesel accounting for just five per cent of its energy mix—significantly reducing reliance on more carbon-intensive fuels across its manufacturing facilities.
In his opening remarks, delivered by Mrs. Barong Asiodu, General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to embedding sustainability into its growth strategy while maintaining strong business performance.
> “For us at Rite Foods, energy is a business continuity priority. As the manufacturing landscape evolves, companies must proactively strengthen energy resilience while reducing environmental impact. Our investments in cleaner energy reflect disciplined long-term thinking about competitiveness, efficiency, and responsible growth,” Adegunwa stated.
Delivering the keynote address, Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy to the Governor of Lagos State, described clean energy as both an environmental necessity and a strategic economic opportunity for Nigeria.
She noted that Nigeria’s transition requires a deliberate shift from fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and diesel to renewable sources including solar, wind, and hydropower, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), the Paris Agreement, and Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP), which targets net-zero emissions by 2060.
Oshodi highlighted the country’s current energy challenges, including limited electricity access, heavy dependence on biomass for cooking, and the health and environmental consequences of prolonged generator and firewood use. While delayed transition poses significant risks to public health and the environment, she cautioned that a poorly financed rapid transition could also strain economic stability.
Commending Rite Foods for hosting the forum, Oshodi described the engagement as timely and impactful, noting that private-sector leadership is critical to advancing Nigeria’s clean energy agenda. She also outlined ongoing initiatives, including the ₦50 billion green bond issuance, expansion of domestic solar manufacturing, Lagos State’s clean energy projects, electric public transport systems, biodigesters, and the 80 million Clean Cookstoves Initiative.
A panel discussion featuring Olufemi Ajileye, General Manager, Operations, Rite Foods; Olumide Idowu, climate advocate; Shofela Akinbode, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics; and Eustace Onuegbu, sustainability expert, examined policy frameworks, financing models, technological innovation, and the importance of collaboration in driving sustainable industrial growth.
Speaking on operational impact, Femi Ajileye noted that sustainability is embedded in Rite Foods’ production systems.
> “Clean and efficient energy systems are fundamentally about smarter operations. Though initial capital costs may be higher, long-term investments in energy efficiency lower total cost of ownership, reduce maintenance expenses, and improve asset lifespan. For manufacturers, this translates into stronger cost leadership, improved margins, and reinvestment into innovation and expansion,” he said.
Beyond energy sourcing, Rite Foods said it has adopted disciplined energy management practices that deliver low energy intensity per unit of production, outperforming industry benchmarks through investments in modern equipment, automation, and process optimisation.
The forum also featured goodwill messages from representatives of the Food and Beverages Recycling Alliance (FBRA), Federal Ministry of Environment, Sterling One Foundation, and GZI Industries, reinforcing the role of public-private partnerships in accelerating Nigeria’s clean energy transition.
Experts at the event agreed that Nigeria’s energy transition must be balanced, inclusive, and data-driven, shifting from linear consumption to circular systems that promote innovation, green jobs, and inclusive access.
Rite Foods’ sustainability leadership has earned it several recognitions, including Outstanding FMCG Corporate Brand of the Year at the Edge Awards, alongside multiple honours at the Sustainability, Innovation and Social Impact (SISA) Awards and the SERAS Awards, reinforcing its position as a proudly Nigerian brand driving responsible, future-focused growth.
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