In recent times, Olam’s subsidiary in Nigeria has come under incendiary attack from the media over watery allegations of engaging in unethical practices.
In our search for truth, we delve into the company’s history in Nigeria and see if over time the activities of this multinational reflect anything close to the allegations being levelled against them.
Olam Group started its operations in Africa from Nigeria in 1989- some 34 years ago.
The company has always attributed its success on the continent to its pioneer initiative in Nigeria.
The agribusiness multinational’s first foray in Nigeria in 1989 was in trading cashew nuts between Nigeria and India.
However, over time its activities transversed sesame, cotton, wheat milling, animal feed and soyabean- its newest venture.
Nigeria has proven to be one of Olam’s biggest success stories and through this, the company has been able to expand its presence to 67 other countries across the globe. Although, the relationship between Nigeria and Olam is symbiotic- the company creates jobs and contributes to government revenues through taxes and other Nigeria-centric activities.
Beyond its contribution to macroeconomic growth, the company has played a significant role in developing Nigeria’s agricultural sector in terms of increasing food production, improving food security and ensuring maximum flow of capital to the sector.
The company has executed a number of projects in this regard. In 2014, the company established a cutting-edge dry hulling and sorting plant in Sagamu, Ogun state. This project enabled sesame hulling and exporting through which Nigeria earned valuable foreign exchange.
Also, Olam’s 4,451 hectares of fully integrated rice farms in Nasarawa state which further supports 13,500 hectares of rice farms in low-income communities is a testament to the company’s drive to helping local communities and farmers grow, earn and become self-sustaining.
This investment is in sync with the vision of the Nigerian government over time- to grow locally what Nigerians eat, diversify the economy and create wealth for local farmers.
Furthermore, Olam’s project “Seed for Future” is another area where the company has been doing tremendous work.
The project is anchored on five core foundations namely; providing support for farmers and farming communities, women empowerment, educational and skill development for young people, promoting health and nutrition and reducing CO2 emissions.
A cursory look at this initiative reveals it aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that focus on gender equality, climate action, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth etc.
Crown Flour Mill- a subsidiary of Olam 2021 launched a 10-year $750,000 (N300 million) community seed project geared towards helping Nigerian farmers increase their wheat production.
Through this research local wheat cultivation is enhanced thereby empowering farmers with up-to-date knowledge and fast-tracking food sufficiency.
The seed project of Olam subsidiary- Crown Flour Mill is being carried out in partnership with reputable local and international agro-research partners notably the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIRO).
Olam has funded these projects to the tune of millions of dollars in Nigeria and also boasts of a workforce of over 4500 people cutting across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Over the past three decades of its activities in Nigeria, Olam has attracted Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into the country despite periods of macroeconomic travails in the country.
The activities and global standing of Olam does not seem to be one to involve in unethical practices as alleged by some segment of the Nigerian media. If the media landscape continues in such a campaign of calumny, it’s just a matter of time before not just Olam but other multinationals in other industries divest out of Nigeria.
Such moves will be deleterious to a struggling economy and bourgeoning workforce.
After delving into the activities of Olam over time, it becomes apparent that, unlike other conglomerates that exist solely for profit maximization, Olam is concerned about Nigeria and Nigerians and wants to be a partner in the country’s quest to achieve its potential.
Such organisations are a gem to any nation and Nigeria should do all it can to protect Olam from falshoods.
Olam has always been one of the enduring SUCCESS stories in Nigeria (starting in Nigeria to become a multinational, like IHS, etc.), but the XENOPHOBIA of some Nigerians has apparently been triggered by its success. SMH
Is this a paid announcement or what? I agree Olam has been very active in Nigeria, but if they engage in bad practices, they have to face the consequences.
We put sentiments in issues at times. If Olam or any other is accused of any wrongdoing and charges are proferred against it in court, it should answer those charges.
It is rich to accuse Nigerians of xenophobia when the Indians that own Olams treat Nigerians like garbage in their own country. Africans in India do not fare better in that nauseating crevice of racism. Olams is a purpose built vehicle for corruption, encouraged first by Babangida and subsequently by all the rent seeking government aparachiks since 1989. Olams doesn’t pay the level of tax this hatchet job of an article claims it pays. Instead, it writes off its tax obligations, claiming on one occasion, for instance, that it had 4,500 hectares of rice field destroyed by flood in Nasarawa State. Olams doesn’t even understand what 4,500 hectares of continguous landmass means much less owning one. The truth is that Olams has been validly accused of mega corruption in the oder of magnitude that boggles the thought of decent human beings. $50 billion scam has contributed significantly in breaking your country as a going concern. That’s what you should be investigating, not shamelessly laundering the image of a corporate viral criminal entity sucking the oxygen out of a beleaguered nation.
If they engage in unethical practice, they should be sanctioned. Should we take anything because we want investors in Nigeria?
I moved the products from village to town
My company has a farm, we supplies our products direct and very cheap
This reporter and Nairametrics oughta be ashamed of themselves for coming up with such garbage as “what we do know about Olam’s activities in Nigeria”
It’s quite sad that there are no metrics to back this claim of Olam being so impactful to Nigerians. I would have loved to see facts and figurative evidences since you are investigating.
Olam was first founded im Nigeria. The “first foray into Africa” line is just Olam trying to whitewash their humble beginnings. It was a Nigerian company (SPV of Challarams) before it ever traded anywhere else in the world. While we are proud of its immense global reach and growth over the years it still owes its founding to Nigeria.