By Gbenga Osinaike
Ayoola Foods Ltd., makers of Ayoola Poundo Yam, Ayoola Plantain Flour, and a host of other locally produced food items, has concluded plans to launch a nationwide brand activation to ensure its products reach every nook and cranny of Nigeria.
The Managing Director of the organization, Mr. Segun Olaye, made this known on Saturday, January 31, at the company’s 2026 customer forum.
Olaye disclosed that the company is prepared for a nationwide “market storm.”
”We want to increase our presence in many states. We discovered that many people want the product but don’t have it within reach, especially in remote areas. That is going to change. The awareness is going to be massive,” he stated.
Rewarding Excellence
The forum served as an opportunity to thank and reward distributors of products from the organization’s stable. Approximately 100 distributors gathered for the event, which took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
Olaye, speaking extemporaneously, expressed deep appreciation to the distributors while remaining optimistic about the continuous growth of the company’s products in the market.
He noted that although 2025 was a difficult year for manufacturers, it did not affect the incentives given to Ayoola distributors. “our total sales dropped by 6 percent in 2025.compared to 2024. Despite this, we still increased the incentives given to our distributors” he said.
Addressing the distributors, he said: “We thank God, who has helped us survive the year. It was a tough year, but some of you surpassed your previous sales records. It shows how committed you are to the brand.”
Growth Amidst Economic Challenges
While noting that incentives for distributors have increased significantly, Olaye added, “We are committed to making our distributors succeed. You are not just a distributor of Ayoola Foods. You’re are a partner in progress. That is why we are always more than willing to encourage you as you commit yourself to promoting and selling our products.’
He explained that the continuous patronage of Ayoola Foods is a clear indication that Nigerians are ready and willing to pay for quality products. “Despite the fact that purchasing power has been weakened due to the economy, Ayoola Foods still receives reasonable patronage,” he said.
Attributing this success to divine grace, Olaye emphasized that the company adheres to high health standards. “It is that adherence to quality that has made us stand out. We keep investing in getting better every year.”
A Vision Born in 1994
The engineer-turned-food processor said that when he entered the food business, he recognized a gap that needed to be filled. “God has helped us fill that gap. When we started in 1994, I had to close my eyes to other businesses I was doing to concentrate on producing quality food items. Looking back, it has paid off.”
He seized the opportunity to counsel business owners to remain focused and determined. “It’s better to be a specialist in one thing than to do many things and make no impact. The more focused you are, the higher your chances of success.”
Future Projections
Olaye promised that the years ahead would be exciting and rewarding for various categories of distributors. “God sparing our lives, I want to assure all our distributors that they will experience benefits that will exceed their imaginations. I am speaking based on our projections and the current market.”
Earlier in the event, Executive Director Ayodele Ayoola delivered a welcome address, expressing his gratitude: “We do not take your support and presence for granted. Thank you for connecting our brand to families across Nigeria and beyond. This forum is our way of saying thank you for being a partner in progress.”
The National Sales Manager, Abiodun Olawale, added that Ayoola Foods has become more proactive, noting that feedback from consumers and distributors has been instrumental in elevating the brand. “Going forward, we are going to be more committed to the supply chain and ensuring our products are everywhere,” Olawale said.
An Atmosphere of Camaraderie
The customer forum featured various programs, including cultural displays from the Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa tribes. A series of lectures on the brand and a “comedy news” segment anchored by the company’s Brand Development Manager enlivened the four-hour event.
The atmosphere was one of fun and camaraderie as distributors from different parts of the country interacted, sharing ideas and experiences from the past year.
In his vote of thanks on behalf of the distributors, Mr Paul Ossai, Managing director of Palosi Ventures paid glowing tribute to the management of Ayoola Foods while also testifying of the great impact the company has made in his life and that to many others.
He testified.saying, “I don’t know the business I would have done that will make me this successful . My involvement in Ayoola Foods has been a game changer for me. I am grateful to God for all the incentives we get from time to time. This has greatly impacted my family in an unprecedented way”
