Rite Foods Limited says it has slashed its diesel cost by 95 per cent through a strategic shift to cleaner energy sources.

The firm said it now powers 95 per cent of its operations with natural gas and solar while reducing diesel reliance to just five per cent.

The FMCG company stated this during a high-level multi-stakeholder engagement held at its head office in Opebi, Lagos, to mark the 2026 International Day of Clean Energy. The forum, themed ‘Nigeria’s Clean Energy Transition: Balancing Risks, Trade-offs and Opportunities for Sustainable Growth’, convened government officials, regulators, energy experts, manufacturers, suppliers, sustainability advocates, and media to explore practical pathways for integrating renewable energy across Nigeria’s FMCG sector.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr Seleem Adegunwa, in his opening remarks delivered by Mrs Barong Asiodu, General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy, reiterated Rite Foods’ commitment to embedding sustainability into its long-term growth plans while aligning strong business performance with environmental responsibility.

“For us at Rite Foods, energy is a business continuity priority. As the manufacturing landscape evolves, companies must proactively strengthen their energy resilience while reducing environmental impact. Our investments in cleaner energy reflect disciplined long-term thinking about competitiveness, efficiency, and responsible growth. More importantly, we recognise that industry progress accelerates when stakeholders share knowledge and align on practical pathways forward.”

He disclosed that 95 per cent of the company’s energy consumption comes from cleaner sources, including natural gas and solar power, with diesel accounting for just five per cent of its energy mix. This shift, he stated, has significantly reduced the company’s reliance on more carbon-intensive fuels across its manufacturing facilities and delivered substantial cost savings on diesel expenditure.

“Our hybrid solution prioritises solar before any mix for energy combination. Our solution ensures energy reliability and efficiency while reducing emissions and strengthening long-term cost reduction. Today, our manufacturing facilities operate on 95 per cent natural gas and solar energy with only five per cent reliance on diesel,” he added.

The Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Ekuma Eze, described clean energy as central to the company’s long-term business strategy.

“At Rite Foods, clean energy is not optional; it is a strategic business imperative. Our approach acknowledges the realities of industrial operations in Nigeria while deliberately pursuing cleaner, more efficient, and more resilient energy solutions that support sustainability, productivity, and business continuity,” he said.

Delivering the keynote address, Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy to the Governor of Lagos State, emphasised clean energy as both an environmental necessity and a strategic economic opportunity for Nigeria.

She explained that Nigeria’s clean energy transition requires a deliberate shift from fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and diesel to sustainable sources, including solar, wind, and hydropower, in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 7, the Paris Agreement, and Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, which targets net-zero emissions by 2060.

Oshodi highlighted the country’s current energy realities, limited electricity access, heavy reliance on biomass for cooking, and the health and environmental consequences of prolonged generator and firewood use. She noted that while a delayed transition comes at a high cost to public health, forests, and emissions, a poorly financed rapid transition could also strain economic stability.

She further outlined ongoing national and sub-national initiatives, including the implementation of the Energy Transition Plan, expansion of domestic solar manufacturing, the issuance of an N50bn green bond, and Lagos State’s clean energy projects such as solar street lighting, solar-powered public facilities, electric public transport, biodigesters, and the 80 million clean cookstoves initiative.