LAGOS, NIGERIA (August 6, 2025) – The 4th edition of the Micronutrient Fortification Index (MFI) Leadership Awards, organized by Millers for Nutrition, took place on Friday at Radisson Blu, Ikeja, spotlighting the critical role of food fortification in combating malnutrition and strengthening Nigeria’s human capital.
The event, which brought together millers, policymakers, development partners, and industry leaders, celebrated companies that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to fortifying staple foods such as wheat flour, edible oils, and sugar, contributing to improved nutrition across the country.
Award Winners
The 2025 MFI Leadership Awards recognized outstanding millers for their excellence in fortification and compliance:
● Highest Performing New Entrant Award: West African Soy Industries Limited
● Pacesetter Recognition Award (DFQT+ adoption): PZ Wilmar, Apple and Pears, Sunola, West African Soy Industries Limited (WASIL), Premium Edible Oils Limited (PEOPL) and Sunchi.
● Miller Personality of the Year: Apple and Pears
● Most Improved Miller: West African Soy Industries Limited
● Vitamin A Compliance Champion (Edible Oil): Golden Terra Soya Oil
● Vitamin A Compliance Champion (Wheat Flour): Golden Penny Prime Flour
● Vitamin A Compliance Champion (Sugar): Dangote Sugar
● Top Five Excellence Awards:
5th Position – Golden Terra Soya Oil
4th Position – Mama Gold Flour; Dangote Bread Flour; Bakewell Flour
3rd Position – Power Oil; Emperor Oil
2nd Position – Mamador Pure Vegetable Oil
1st Position – Golden Penny Prime Flour; Golden Penny Confectionary Flour; Classic All Purpose; Superfine wheat flour
MFI 2025-Flour Mills
Representing the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Sampson Ebimaro underscored the link between nutrition and economic growth. “Without a strong population, you can possibly not do anything. The nutritional intakes we are making today add up to the outcome of our economy. The economy by projection is growing by 3.4%, and the president has tasked the Ministry to get to double-digit growth. We need the capacity of men and women to do that,” he said.
Mrs. Uju Rochas, who represented Vice President Kashim Shettima, described malnutrition as a “national emergency” that silently undermines Nigeria’s development. She praised millers and industry partners for “proving to be custodians of health” and highlighted the government’s Nutrition 774 initiative, which targets malnutrition across all local government areas, with food fortification as a key tool.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Nura Abba Rimi, represented by Mrs. Olumuyiwa Ajayi-Ade, lauded the growth of the MFI from four participating companies in 2019 to 18 in 2025. He emphasized that “fortified staple foods remain an efficient and scalable intervention to improve dietary quality and support national development,” and announced that the Ministry has upgraded its Nutrition Unit to a Division, with plans for a full Department, to enhance policy and accountability in food quality standards.
Other speakers included Mr. Uche Amaonwu, Country Director of the Gates Foundation, who emphasized the need for public-private collaboration in fortification, and Mr. Abdulrasaq, Deputy Director of Food Safety and Compliance at NAFDAC, who reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to monitoring fortified foods and safeguarding public health.
A panel session on “Industry-Led Solutions for Improved Nutrition” explored strategies for scaling food fortification, regulatory alignment, and driving industry innovation, with participants emphasizing the role of collaboration, technical support, and sustained government policies.
The awards, supported by the Gates Foundation, Strategic Fortification Partners: BASF, BioAnalyt, Bühler, dsm-firmenich, Mühlenchemie, SternVitamin and regional strategic fortification partners Hexagon Nutrition, Piramal and Sankul, aims to encourage millers to go beyond compliance and expand access to fortified foods, contributing to the fight against malnutrition in Nigeria.
About TechnoServe
Founded in 1968, TechnoServe is a leader in harnessing the power of the private sector to help people lift themselves out of poverty for good. A non-profit organization working in 30 countries, we work with people to build a better future through regenerative farms, businesses, and markets that increase incomes. Our vision is a sustainable world where all people in low-income communities have the opportunity to prosper.
Twitter: @TechnoServe | Facebook: @TechnoServe | LinkedIn: @TechnoServe
About Millers for Nutrition
Millers for Nutrition is powered by TechnoServe and is supported by Strategic Fortification
Partners – BASF, Buhler, dsm-firmenich, Mühlenchemie, SternVitamin, BioAnalyt; Regional Fortification Partners Hexagon Nutrition Ltd, Piramal Nutrition Solutions, Sanku, and a growing group of regional and local partners that share a common vision of improving food processing practices and fortification excellence that ultimately benefits the society while enhancing business sustainability. Millers, food fortification stakeholders, and others interested in joining this initiative can learn more at millersfornutrition.com.
Source: Email/GFMM
Comment Now