On Tuesday, 21st November 2017, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, GCON commissioned the FoodPro Limited cashew processing factory. In addition, the company unveiled its latest addition to the FoodPro product range – GoNutz, its range of flavoured cashews.

From Left: Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, Executive Director, NEPC, Governor of Kwara State, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo GCON, Tien George, Chairman Aveon Nigeria Limited and Co-founder/CEO FoodPro Limited, Mr. Ayo Olajiga

The Vice President was accompanied by several dignitaries including, the Governor of Kwara State, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, CEO/Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, and the Executive Director of the Bank of Industry, Mr. Waheed Olagunju.

Mr. Ayo Olajiga, Co-Founder/CEO of FoodPro Limited, guided the Vice President on a tour of the factory showing the different stages of the cashew processing from sizing and boiling, shelling and scooping, to drying and peeling and finally grading and packaging. The importance of cashew processing to economic development cannot be stressed enough as it creates sustainable jobs (both direct and indirect) and leads to overall increase in the value of the cashew sector.

The Vice President was extremely impressed by the factory and the commitment to adhering to global standards. He expressed this administration’s resolve to support the private sector with policies that would aid local businesses.

Speaking at the commissioning, Mr Olajiga said, “Through domestic processing of raw cashew nuts, we have created more than 400 direct jobs and several thousand indirect jobs for farmers, vendors, suppliers and artisans who form the heartbeat of FoodPro’s value chain. With 90% of FoodPro’s employees being women, we are humbled by the role we play in impacting communities and improving economic and social development conditions in our host community.”

FoodPro Limited has been in operation since 2013 and recently ramped up its capacity from 1,000 to 5,000 tonnes of raw cashew nuts per annum making it the largest locally owned cashew processing company in Nigeria. In addition, FoodPro’s factory is the only factory certified by the African Cashew Alliance for Food Safety and Quality.

In the near future the company plans to double its operating capacity further to 10,000 tonnes, commence export of packaged and branded goods, including existing brands – Lion Cashew & Go Nutz as well as a range of additional products that are currently in the development phase.

Source: FoodPRO Limited