For the second year running, FoodCo Nigeria, a top-three retailer and operator of the largest supermarket chain in South-West Nigeria, has been named Retail Brand of the Year at the 2025 Nigerian Business Leadership Awards (NBLA).
Organised by BusinessDay Media Limited, Nigeria’s foremost business intelligence platform, this year’s award marks the fourth time FoodCo will be recognised as Retailer of the Year and the fifth overall honour the brand has received in the NBLA series.
Presenting the award, Frank Aigbogun, Publisher of BusinessDay, noted that the NBLA provides a platform to celebrate dynamic enterprises that contribute meaningfully to the Nigerian economy while promoting knowledge sharing and sector-wide collaboration.
He commended FoodCo for its leadership and innovativeness in redefining models for competitiveness and sustainability within the retail sector—despite persistent macroeconomic challenges including double-digit inflation, foreign exchange pressures, policy uncertainties, supply chain fragmentation, and chronic power constraints.
According to him, “FoodCo’s recognition as Retail Brand of the Year is a testament to the resilient leadership that drives the economy forward. It aligns with our belief that leadership is measured not only by strong performance but also by the ability to confront challenges with integrity and a clear sense of purpose. FoodCo has turned routine operations into meaningful progress, showing that African enterprise—when built on resilience, responsibility, and relevance—can grow, inspire, and compete confidently on the global stage.”
Receiving the award on behalf of FoodCo, Ade Sun-Basorun, CEO of the company—represented by Rufus Fayeun, Head of Human Resources—expressed appreciation to BusinessDay for the recognition and dedicated the award to the FoodCo team, customers, and host communities.
He said: “We are honoured and humbled by this recognition, especially as it affirms FoodCo’s continued commitment to the Nigerian retail community over the last four decades. Since inception, we have remained focused on delivering quality products and exceptional customer experiences by nurturing a culture of innovation and responsible growth. This award reaffirms our dedication to serving Nigerian consumers. It reflects the passion and hard work of our team and validates the trust our customers and host communities place in us. It motivates us to deepen our impact and continue investing in value creation and sustainable practices that strengthen the communities we serve.”
NBLA winners are selected using weighted criteria including innovation, service delivery, product quality, and financial performance.
The selection process is guided by a rigorous review conducted by BusinessDay’s Research & Intelligence Unit and the NBLA Awards Review Committee, ensuring that each recognition meets global standards of credibility and merit.
Founded in 1982 as a single fresh fruit and vegetable store, FoodCo has grown into a vital pillar of South-West Nigeria’s economy, employing over 2,000 people and serving as a critical route-to-market for SMEs by connecting local producers and suppliers to wider consumer markets.
With operations in retail, quick-service restaurants, manufacturing, and entertainment, FoodCo has been listed on the Financial Times annual ranking of Africa’s Fastest Growing Companies in 2022, 2023, and 2025.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
