Unigold Foods
OUR STORY
Our history started in 2000 as a small holder family-owned poultry farm in Awka, Anambra state. A few years later, the company expanded into the commodities business, traveling to the northern part of the country to buy food spices and commodities to trade and sell in the southern part of Nigeria.
Over the next 10 years, the small holder family-owned company grew to become a household name in certain parts of Nigeria. Through mergers and acquisitions, the family interests were consolidated into Unigold Foods Ltd, which later became Unigold Food Processing Company PLC. Guided by principled leadership, the company has reached new heights, becoming a major food company engaged in fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), crop farming, animal protein production, food processing, logistics, and warehousing.
The journey to becoming a leader in the Nigerian food industry has not always been easy. However, our achievements have always overshadowed our challenges, motivating us to embrace the responsibilities of providing food products across Nigeria and the African continent.
Chief Executive Welcome Statement
Message From Our Team Leader
Welcome to UNIGOLD FOODS PLC “a Nigerian Company Taking Agribusiness to the next level” with a stable of great brands comprising our Nara chicken, Nara Sausage, Nara Palm Oil, Nara Tomato Paste and Nara Poultry Feed.
Our diversified platform includes beef, pork, poultry, lamb, further processed and consumer ready protein offerings, hides, leather, variety meats and rendered products and our numerous partnerships with our farmer cooperatives and small holder poultry contract farmers spread across 8 states in Nigeria.
Unigold Foods is among the top 30 animal protein companies in Nigeria, with growing and production platforms of poultry, cattle and pork in Benin, Awka, Asaba, Warri, Oweeri, Aba, Enugu and Port-Harcourt all working in unison to ensure only the best animal protein products are produced and packaged for our esteemed customers. From our humble beginnings as a small, family-owned poultry company that started operations in Awka in 2000 under the business name Goldenvale Nigeria Co to our becoming a major Nigerian food company with operations in most regions of Nigeria, Unigold Food PLC has been guided by certain beliefs and principles
Honesty, Humility, Hard work, Dedication, sustainability, Love and cooperation
These values have made it possible for the company through mergers and acquisition while been true to its core principles to grow from been a small holder poultry farm to becoming a company engaged in the production of different products in the agriculture sector and operate processing facilities in 4 locations in Nigeria.
As the population of Nigeria has grown from less than 80 million citizens in 2000 to approximately 195 million in 2020 and estimated to become the 3rd-4th most populated country with a population of almost 400Million citizens by 2045, the company is using its strong foundations and business models to prepare for the challenges of the new decade and position the company to take advantages of the vast opportunities that will be available in Nigeria and Africa in general. And as the Nigerian population grows so will the needs and wants of Nigerians change and increase hence our focus and challenge is to ensure that the company and its partners have put in place all the necessary logistics to provide this growing population with nutritious, safe and affordable foods in a manner that protects the environment.
The Unigold Foods team is ready and prepared to meet this challenge as we see it as one that must be met by Nigerian companies for the benefit of Nigerians and for Africa at large
We believe that the future of Africa is bright and that by the 2nd half of the 21st century with companies such as Unigold Foods Plc leading the way the challenge of meeting the food needs of Africans will have been met and this is the greatest challenge facing us in the 3rd decade of the 21st century and we are ready embark on this journey.
Thank you .
Malcolm E Johnson
Chief Executive Officer
Unigold Food Processing Company PLC
MEET OUR TEAM
OUR PEOPLE - TEAM
Shareholders
- Professor Bonaventure A. Obiorah / Chairman
- Barr (Mrs) Gladys O. Obiorah
- Barr Paul E. Usenbo
- Dr. Anthony O. Usenbo
Board of Directors
- Professor Vincent Yakubu Adam
- Barr. Chukwuma E. Obiorah
- Barr Paul E. Usenbo
- Dr Bonaventure A. Obiorah (Jnr)
- Mrs Osasere Okungbowa
- Dr. Anthony Usenbo
- Ms Chinwe Rose Enemchukwu
- Prince Agharese Akenzua
- Barr Efe Andrew Eguanuku (Company Secretary)
Management Team
Mr. Malcom Johnson - Chief Executive Officer
Malcolm E. Johnson has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Company since September 2016 and has focused on rigorously implementing Unigold Foods aims and objectives to produce and deliver affordable high quality wholesome animal protein and food products to our customers. In his role he leads 4000 members comprising full time employees, contract farmers and contract sales-marketing and transport employees and all other partners who are engaged under the Company’s “contract workers program scheme”. Mr. Johnson is committed to growing Unigold Foods by focusing on value added services, expanding the Company’s animal protein production capacity with emphasis on increase in poultry, eggs and beef production, expanding food value and supply chain and increase in warehousing/storage capacity and regional expansion and new markets creation. He has also taken to another level the Company’s commitment to sustainability and investing in our people-and implementing a youth entrepreneurship program to bring in more youths into the agribusiness industry and at the same time provide more opportunities to increase their educational level..”
He brings into the Company more than 15 years’ experience in the fast moving consumer goods sector (FMCG) and in particular the food and beverage industry where before he joined Unigold Foods he worked for several Nigerian Multi-national company’s including Goldenvale Nigeria Co Ltd as the Managing Director of the company. Mr. Johnson is a graduate of University of Houston and also holds an MBA from Texas Southern University.
Mr. Chukuma E. Obiorah - Advisor/Chief Strategist
Mr. Obiorah has over 20 years’ experience in finance, Agribusiness Project development and is a transport and Logistics expert. He founded the Company in 2000 as a business name known as Goldenvale and later converted it to Unigold Foods in 2012. He serves as the Company’s Advisor and chief Strategist. His key competencies span across finance, strategy development and execution, organizational restructuring and transformation, leadership and change management. He joined the Unigold Foods at the Inception and is currently responsible for the strategic drive to position it for sustainability beyond the founder’s lifetime. He holds a LL.B from University of Benin, and a LL.M from Robert Gordon University, Scotland UK. He has been exposed to leadership and professional development programs at globally renowned institutions.
Fashola T. Wasiu-Abiodun--- Director of Sales
Mr. Abiodun has been in his present position since 2017. He has a unique background in developing comprehensive value and supply chain segments and platforms for food companies. He has B.Sc. Agriculture from University of Benin and a MBA from Brunel University London. He is happily married with Children.
Mr. Dominic Obi--- Head Corporate Affairs and Sustainability
Mr. Obi has led corporate communications, industry affairs and sustainability at Unigold Foods since 2021. He started his career at Unigold Foods in 2019, managing relations between the company and its contract farmers and cooperatives. He is a graduate of University of Lagos.
Mrs. Danielle Amarah----Chief Human Resources Officer
Mrs. Amarah leads a team focused on creating a happy and productive workforce. She is responsible for human resources (talent-leadership-analytics), corporate services and communications. She has more than 10 years experience in the mass communications industry and joined Unigold foods in 2017 and has worked in the FMCG industry since 2010 and has held leadership roles in various companies before coming on board. She began her career in Unitrident SC Ltd and holds a BSc. In Mass communications from University of Lagos and an MSc in International business and Finance from University of Aberdeen, Scotland.
Barr Paul E. Usenbo-- Shareholder
Mr. Usenbo is one of the shareholders of the Company and serves in key advisory roles on formulating policies for the company and ensuring that the company’s aims and objectives are achieved. He was before joining the Company a partner in Victoria & Co Chambers one of the leading commercial and oil and gas law firms in Nigeria. He is a consummate corporate and commercial lawyer with a career spanning 20 years. Mr. Usenbo has a proven track record of academic and professional excellence. He joined Unigold Foods in 2014. He Obtained in LL.B from University of Benin and MBA from University of West London and attended the Nigerian Law School Lagos. He is licensed to practice law in Nigeria, England and Wales. He is a member of the International Bar Association, Nigerian Bar Association and the Law Society of England and Wales.
Chief. Tosan Aiboni---- Non-Executive Director
Chief. Tosan Aiboni specializes in investment structuring, contracts review/structuring, regulatory advisory, legal and Intellectual Property due diligence services. He has been involved in the establishment and conduct of legal and regulatory compliance procedures for local subsidiaries of foreign multinational companies. He has experience in ownership restructuring and corporate re-organization involving mergers, acquisitions, (both local and cross border), asset disposal and government liaison. He also specializes in land acquisition, development and title regularization. Tosan was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2002. He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Associations and a registered professional at the Financial Reporting Council. Mr. Aiboni serves as Company Secretary/Legal Adviser on the Boards of some private limited and public quoted companies as well as organizations within and outside Nigeria. He became a Non-Executive Director of Unigold Foods in 2019.
UNIGOLD FOODS
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Unigold Foods
OUR PARTNERS
We enter into and maintain partnerships that inspire. That the most productive and sustainable
partnerships are those in which the partners have the same value and mutual commitment to achieving
the best outcomes.
• Company Employed Farmers
• Independent/Contract Farmers
The people who work with Unigold Foods in rearing, raising and caring for our animals are vital to us. This is also the way we feel about all our farmers, and the farmers who cultivate the soil and produce our tomatoes and wheat are vital to our success. They form part of the Unigold family. The quality of our products begins right with our farmers and under our business model we depend on more than 1000 independent livestock, poultry and crop farmers. Unigold Foods Contract farming scheme is key to our success.
In this 3rd decade of the 21st century contract livestock and poultry farming schemes are one of the most dynamic, holistic and profitable ways of raising livestock and poultry in the 21st century. Unigold Foods believes it is a relationship that is mutually beneficial to all the parties under our contract farming scheme. Under the contract farming scheme of the company we supply the birds or animals and feed and provide technical advice, while the livestock and poultry farmer provides the labor, housing and utilities. This cooperation between Unigold Foods Plc and family-owned small holder farms increases efficiency and enables the company to be able to grow the livestock at the best possible prices and reduced cost for our customers. Unigold Foods believes in the Nigerian farmer and is a leading supporter of Nigerian agriculture and we are fully aware that without our farmers we will not have a livestock and poultry business.
WHY
UNIGOLD FOODS
Nationwide Delivery
We offer reliable and fast delivery across Nigeria, ensuring that your favorite food products reach you no matter where you are.
Premium Quality
At Unigold Foods, we prioritize quality, offering you top-tier products that meet international standards for taste and freshness.
Community Impact
We support local farmers through our contact farming programs, contributing to community growth and sustainable livelihoods.
Customer Support
Our dedicated customer service team is available to assist you with any inquiries, ensuring your experience with us is seamless and enjoyable.
Products
All over Nigeria, we work every day to bring quality wholesome food products to millions of Nigerians. Our belief is simple – put smiles on the faces of Nigerians.
As a modern multi-national food company, through our contact farming scheme, we produce a wide variety of products and cash crops, including animal protein products such as chicken, beef, and eggs. All our products are produced and sold under our brand, NARA™.
NARA FROZEN CHICKEN (OROBO)
Our NARA Frozen Chicken (Orobo) is expertly prepared, preserving the natural flavors of chicken while offering superior quality. It’s a preferred choice for many families and chefs, available across various retail channels.
NARA TOMATO PASTE
Our NARA Tomato Paste is made from the finest tomatoes, providing a rich, authentic flavor that enhances every dish. It is an essential ingredient in Nigerian kitchens, used in various culinary delights.
NARA EGGS
NARA Eggs are rich in nutrients and are sourced from healthy, well-fed chickens. They are available in various sizes and are perfect for daily use in homes and restaurants alike.
NARA PALM OIL
Our NARA Palm Oil is sourced from sustainable plantations and is refined to meet the highest quality standards. It is an essential product in many Nigerian dishes, giving a rich and authentic taste.
NARA POULTRY FEED
NARA Poultry Feed is designed to provide optimal nutrition for chickens, ensuring healthy growth and productivity. Our feed is available in different variants to meet the needs of various poultry breeds.
Animal Protein Products
Unigold Foods is also a leading provider of animal protein products such as beef, chicken, and eggs. Our products are readily available through major retail channels, grocery stores, and open markets across Nigeria.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Contract Animal Protein Farming?
This is the method or agro practice whereby farmers raise livestock or poultry under contract for a poultry processing company or companies. Contract animal protein farming has existed since the 1930s and is now the industry standard in most parts of the developed world.
Unigold Foods is one of the pioneers of contract farming in Nigeria. Unigold Foods have been working with poultry farmers in a contract basis since 2010, and it’s been a relationship we believe works for both the farmers and Unigold Foods.
Under Unigold Foods animal protein contract farming program, we supply the birds/animals, feeds, and provide technical advice and assistance (and in some instances, the company provides housing and other key utilities), while the animal protein farmers provide the labor, housing, and utilities. This cooperation between Unigold Foods and Nigerian small-scale animal protein farmers increases efficiency and quality while ensuring customers receive our products at the best possible prices.
What Are the Benefits for Farmers?
It enables the farmer to have a regular income as per the terms of the contract. In addition, the contract farming scheme insulates the farmer from the risk of changing market prices as a result of the increase in the cost inputs such as day-old chicks, feed, and feed ingredients due to the increase in the price of feed ingredients such as maize and soybean meal, which represent the majority of the cost of raising poultry and most livestock.
Hence, our farmers’ compensation is not dependent on feed costs or prices at the supermarkets. Under most contract farming schemes, especially the type implemented by Unigold Foods, our contract farmer families are happy and always go smiling to the bank after growing their livestock or poultry products as per the terms of the contract.
How Long Are Unigold Foods Contracts with Animal Protein Farmers?
Our contracts with our farmers are typically 24-36 months and subject to immediate renewal upon agreement between the company and our farmers.
How Are the Farmers for Animal Protein Paid?
We provide our animal protein farmers with written contracts outlining how they will be paid. Our animal protein farmers are basically paid for how well they take care of the livestock and poultry and how much weight the livestock and poultry gain while they are on the farm.
We use a performance-based incentive system that rewards our farmers who effectively convert the feed we provide into weight gain in the livestock and birds they raise for Unigold Foods. The payment formula includes factors such as the number of animals, the amount of feed used, the performance of their flock compared to those raised by other contract farmers, and the weight of the animals delivered to the processing and packaging plants.
Is Unigold Foods the Only Food Processing Company Using This Payment System?
The performance-based pay program offered by Unigold Foods to farmers is very popular in America and in Europe and is a new process in Nigeria. However, it has been proven to be one of the most efficient and effective ways to raise animal protein and is gradually becoming popular here in Nigeria and Africa.
Are There Rules/Regulations Protecting Animal Protein Farmers Rights in a Contract Relationship?
Unigold Foods Animal Protein contract farming scheme is a relationship between the company and the farmers which is extensively regulated by Nigerian Law. Under our contracts, our farmers are entitled to:
- A written copy of their contract with the company.
- Information detailing how much they are paid.
- Information explaining how a contract can be cancelled.
- Right to a 120 days written notice of Unigold Foods intention to terminate the contract.
- Right of the farmer to terminate the contract with Unigold Foods by giving a 120 days written notice.
- Right to discuss their contract with outside parties.
- Right to join an association of farmers.
Do the Contract Farmers Need to Take on Debt to Start or Expand Their Business?
Livestock and poultry farming, like any other business, require funds/money, and at times people have to borrow some money to start, improve, or expand their operations. Each of our contract farmers must decide on their own the size and scope of their operations and how much debt they are willing to take on.
However, the company’s finance department has, when a contract farmer has had a relationship exceeding 3 years with the company, assisted contract farmers in raising funds from microfinance banks and other types of commercial banks and acting as a guarantor for such loans.
Do You Require Farmers to Upgrade Their Livestock and Poultry Houses?
Other than improvements, maintenance, or repairs to address animal well-being issues, Unigold Foods does not require equipment or housing specification upgrades in the middle of contracts. However, we require farmers to meet a set of housing specifications that are outlined in the contracts. This is basically due to the fact that the benefits of more modern housing include a more comfortable living environment for the livestock or birds with improved ventilation and more uniform temperatures through the structure. It also saves energy to heat and cool the house, which is savings for the farmers.
Does Unigold Foods Help Our Farmers Who Are Experiencing Problems with the Performance of Their Farms?
Unigold Foods always works closely with our farmers, including regular visits by our extension workers and animal welfare specialists to provide technical advice, answer questions, and ensure best animal management practices. If a farmer under contract farming is not performing well or up to the estimated output/yield, we will all lose. To avoid losses for both the company and farmer, we have a program in place designed to help them get back on track.
What Type of Rights Do Farmers Have as Part of Their Contract?
All farmers who grow livestock and poultry products for Unigold Foods have rights which are part of their contract. These rights are outlined in the “Unigold Foods Contract Animal Protein Farmers Bill of Rights.”
How to Become a Unigold Food Contract Farmer/Becoming a Prospective Farmer?
Unigold Foods supplies the animals, the feed, and provides technical advice while the animal protein farmer under contract provides the labor, housing, and utilities. This cooperation between Unigold Foods and our farmers increases efficiency and product quality while at the same time maintaining affordable prices for customers.
To be considered and selected as a Unigold Foods animal protein contract farmer, the prospective farmer must have an existing farmhouse for growing the animals, with such property being within a 60-90 km radius of the company-owned feed mills that service our poultry processing complex.
To learn more about contract farming opportunities with Unigold Foods, contact the Live Operation Manager at the Unigold Foods office nearest to you. Visit our Contact Us page.
- GIVING BACK - CORPORATE GIVING
Unigold Foods Plc is committed to the communities where we live and work. We partner with NGOs and other relief organizations to help people in need, and also invest in community projects that create wealth for the locals through our various entrepreneurship programs.
Our 2 Crates Egg Entrepreneurship Program
In Nigeria, where more than 70% of the population are poor and live on less than $1 a day, access to basic necessities is a challenge. Therefore, Unigold Foods has implemented an egg entrepreneurship program, where we provide the infrastructure (buildings), day-old chicks, and feed to farmers under the scheme.
We give 250 day-old chicks per farmer, and they are trained on how to raise the layer birds. When the birds start laying eggs, the company helps them sell the eggs. The scheme is run at no cost to the beneficiaries, and many of them have become successful farmers over the years, now successfully running their egg farms.
Unigold Foods is most proud of this giving-back program, which puts smiles on the faces of its beneficiaries. To the company, this is what corporate responsibility is all about—helping low-income Nigerians work and establishing economically sustainable businesses from the sale of eggs.
We are committed to helping the communities we operate in and do business with. We also contribute through grants and sponsorships. Under our corporate giving programs and packages, Unigold Foods seeks and accepts proposals from NGOs and charities to assist them in implementing and carrying out their programs to improve the quality of life for people in these communities.
Our Corporate Priorities
Unigold Foods gives priority consideration to NGOs and charities whose aims and objectives align with our corporate priorities. These include:
- Providing hunger relief
- Assisting vulnerable people with job placement and/or entrepreneurship training and skill acquisition
- Supporting women in business
- Providing education sponsorship for youth
OUR MISSION, VISION, CORE VALUES & PURPOSE
Our Mission
We envision a country where every Nigerian and African can afford animal protein products, from poultry, beef, pork to fish products, while ensuring all farmers are well compensated and live prosperously.
Our Vision
Our strategy focuses on being an agro-integrator, virtually integrating operations to produce animal protein and food products of the highest quality at the most affordable prices, serving our people and community.
Unigold Foods strives to
• Be principled, righteous, moral, ethical and operate with integrity
• Be Respectful and inclusive
• Provide a safe work environment
Hence as a corporate organization we strive to be honest and operate with a respect for our
customers and team members and conduct business at all times with integrity.
• Safeguard , operate and produce great animal protein and food products using the highest
possible standards.
Our Purpose
We imagine a country where every Nigerian or African can afford animal protein products, from Poultry, beef, pork to fish products and food products and all our farmers are well compensated and live prosperously. And our Strategy is one in which we function as an agro integrator and through virtual integration of our operations produce animal protein and food products with the highest quality and most affordable prices.
Our Core Values
Our core values are at the heart of everything we do, and the company has always prided itself for providing fair wages for workers, giving back to the communities we work with and at the same time produce wholesome animal protein and food products.
Our Ambition
Unigold Foods has as its business model to expand our business capacity, capabilities and efficiency through innovation and commitment to our farmers, vendors and customers. Unigold Foods Ambition is to become a leading innovation driven sustainable food processing company in Nigeria and Africa.
Independent Local Producers
At Unigold Foods, we are committed to sourcing high-quality broilers and eggs from independent local producers. Our partnerships with local family farmers ensure the highest standards of animal husbandry and environmental practices. These relationships not only benefit our operations but also contribute significantly to the economic success of rural communities across Nigeria.
By purchasing livestock from a variety of local suppliers, we support local economies, decrease our carbon footprint, and promote sustainability. Our chicken and beef production facilities are strategically located in areas where livestock is raised, allowing us to buy locally and support the economic viability of surrounding communities.
Tomato Paste - Nara
Unigold Foods has made significant strides in the tomato paste market with our Nara brand. Since its introduction in 2013, Nara tomato paste has been a staple in Nigerian kitchens, helping families make healthy, fresh stews and meals. All tomatoes used for our paste are sourced from cooperative farming in Kano and Benue States, ensuring freshness and quality.
Red Palm Oil - Nara
Unigold Foods is also involved in the production of high-quality red palm oil, sourced from cooperatives and farmers in Edo, Delta, Abia, and Imo States. Our partnerships with smallholder oil palm farmers create economic opportunities for low-income Nigerians, providing them with a sustainable livelihood.
Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility
At Unigold Foods, sustainability is a core principle. We are committed to responsible environmental, social, and economic practices that will benefit both current and future generations.