Stakeholders from government, healthcare, academia, development organisations, civil society, and the private sector converged in Lagos for the Nestlé for Good Summit, where discussions focused on practical and collaborative solutions to improve nutrition, strengthen communities, and promote sustainable food systems in Nigeria.

The one-day summit, organised by Nestlé Nigeria at the Landmark Event Centre, provided a platform for cross-sector dialogue on addressing nutrition, public health, and food system challenges through partnerships and innovative approaches.

Among dignitaries at the event were the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria PLC, Wassim Elhusseini; Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem; and the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, alongside leaders from development agencies, public health institutions, and the private sector.

Discussions centred on improving nutrition across different stages of life, strengthening local food systems, enhancing livelihoods, and building more resilient communities. Participants also examined how strategic partnerships can help tackle interconnected challenges relating to nutrition, economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability.

Speaking at the summit, Elhusseini reaffirmed Nestlé’s commitment to creating shared value through initiatives that positively impact people and communities.

According to him, the company’s purpose is to unlock the power of food to improve quality of life for individuals today and for future generations, noting that achieving this objective requires strong systems across the entire value chain.

“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 added that the Nestlé for Good initiative serves as a comprehensive framework for delivering impact in nutrition, thriving communities, and environmental sustainability.

In her keynote address, Mrs. Ambrose-Medebem commended Nestlé Nigeria for bringing together key stakeholders to discuss issues that are critical to public well-being and national economic development.

She emphasized that conversations around food and nutrition extend beyond health concerns to include human capital development, productivity, economic growth, and the future prosperity of society.

The commissioner also stressed the need for sustained collaboration among government institutions, businesses, development partners, and local communities to achieve meaningful and large-scale nutrition outcomes.

Providing further insight into the initiative, Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria, explained that the platform highlights how the company’s products, partnerships, sourcing activities, and community investments collectively contribute to healthier lives and stronger communities.

Similarly, Patricia Ekaba, Head of Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability for Central and West Africa, underscored the importance of adopting a long-term approach to sustainable development.

She noted that meaningful progress requires balancing business growth with social impact, adding that lasting results are achieved when organisations create value for both their operations and the communities they serve.

A major highlight of the summit was an impact showcase featuring stories of beneficiaries of Nestlé’s interventions in women empowerment, youth skills development, dairy value-chain development, and environmental sustainability.

The showcase demonstrated how targeted programmes across different sectors are improving livelihoods, strengthening communities, and promoting sustainable practices.

Participants also had the opportunity to explore how Nestlé’s products and initiatives support nutrition, livelihoods, and sustainability throughout various stages of the food system.

The Nestlé for Good Summit is expected to further strengthen collaboration among stakeholders and accelerate efforts toward addressing Nigeria’s nutrition and development challenges through practical, scalable, and sustainable solutions.