CATCH-UP: The Nasco Group

CATCH-UP at this time focuses on the NASCO Group, one of the largest Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies in the West Africa region. 

From its headquarters in the heart of Nigeria, Nasco Group manufactures and distributes an outstanding collection of popular brands across the food and household sectors, taking great pride in making superior products in a manner that is consistent with the highest standards of corporate behavior. 

The company which is indeed the choice of many places consumers at the center of everything it does because it stands for quality, innovation and value for money.  Millions of people everywhere choose its products to add a touch of quality to their lives.

The story of NASCO is that of innovation, diversification and growth. Its rich heritage is filled with the pioneering and visionary spirit of its founder. The company started operations in 1963 with the establishment of a jute bag factory in the central city of Jos, Nigeria – the very first in sub-Saharan Africa. This was in response to the desire of the founding fathers of Nigeria on the eve of independence to meet the challenges for the effective bagging, storage and export of the large agricultural yields prevalent in the country. Investors from Europe, Asia and the Middle East were invited by the Federal Government to participate in the economic development of the new nation. An investment agreement was accordingly stipulated, paving the way for the formation of a company whose ambitious purpose was the development of industrial, agricultural, real estate and marine areas. Since then, NASCO has been building a company whose values are deeply held – a commitment to people and communities, to quality and customer service, and to success in the marketplace and reinvestment in the business.

Successive generations have continued to grow the company and adapt the business as markets evolved, demonstrating the entrepreneurial flair and strength of purpose that is required for a business to survive half a century. Over this period, NASCO has achieved many milestones and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s rich agricultural and industrial heritage. With faith in the local economy, many new factories were established in diverse areas from food and household products to packaging materials and industrial chemicals. Today NASCO has become renowned for the quality of its products and for its ability to match a product to demand.

NASCO has received numerous honours and accolades from heads of states, both in Nigeria and overseas, as well as from the United Nations. The founder’s dream of a successful business driven by its people and its principles defines this extraordinary company today. This is the basis of the company’s competitive advantage and regional growth.

Halal Certification 2018 – Halal Certification Authority

NASCO Foods received the Halal Certification to produce Halal cereals and biscuits. The Halal Certification Authority has accordingly authorized to use of its labels on the company’s packaging

Best Exhibitor Award 2018 – Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry has presented the Best Exhibitor Award to NASCO Group at the 13^th Abuja International Trade Fair which took place from 26 September – 10 October 2018.

 Best Exhibitor Award 2017 – Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry has presented the Best Exhibitor Award to NASCO Group at the 12^th Abuja International Trade Fair which took place from 21 September – 7 October 2017.

Award of Excellence 2016 – Plateau State Internal Revenue Service (PSIRS)

The Plateau State Internal Revenue Service has presented a special certificate of recognition to NASCO Group. The award presentation was in recognition of NASCO’s consistent, voluntary and diligent compliance with all tax obligations in Plateau State.

Certificate of Endorsement 2015 – Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN)

NASCO Cornflakes won the endorsement and official approval of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) in recognition for its high nutritional content and product quality.

National Safety & Emergency Management Award 2015 – Federal Fire Service

NASCO Group was given this award in recognition of its adherence to national safety and emergency management, as well as its outstanding contribution to safety standards in the country.

Appreciation Certificate 2014 – Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND)

NASCO Foods was given this certificate for its immense contribution towards improving the quality of education in Nigeria through the consistent payment of Education Tax over the years

Corporate Citizen of Excellence 2014 – Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR)

NASCO Foods was given this award in recognition for its winning team philosophy and best practices in corporate communication & social responsibility.

Best Detergent Brand 2014 – African Product Awards, Institute for Government Research

NASCO Brytex was recognized as the best detergent brand nationwide for its high quality, effectiveness and accessibility, while complying with all government laws.

Best Cornflakes Brand 2013 – African Product Awards, Institute for Government Research

NASCO Group received this important pan-African award for producing the best cornflakes products with the finest ingredients, while conforming to international standards and complying with all government regulatory laws.

Best Biscuit Brand 2012 – African Product Awards, Institute for Government Research

NASCO Group received this important pan-African award for producing the best biscuit brands, while contributing to the overall betterment of society.

Cavaliere dell’Ordinedella Stella d’Italia – Italian Order of Knighthood (2012)

This tribute was bestowed by decree of the President of Italy upon NASCO’s Chairman, Mr. Attia Nasreddin, in recognition of his meritorious service to the Italian Republic and for the promotion of national prestige abroad.

Certificate of Excellence 2011 – Superbrands, London, UK

NASCO Group was given this prestigious award in recognition of its achievement of Superbrand status, having demonstrated its stature as one of the strongest performing brands in the country.

Peace Ambassador 2011 – Foundation for Peace & Non-Violence in Nigeria

NASCO Group was given this award for its support and sponsorship of numerous peace missions with local communities, NGOs and government agencies.

Best Employer Award 2009 – Industrial Training Fund (ITF)

NASCO Group was given this distinguished award in recognition and appreciation for being the best contributing employer in the region.

Lifetime Achievement Gold Award – Africa Week (2008)

This award was presented to the NASCO Chairman in recognition of his entrepreneurial excellence and innovative leadership in Nigeria.

Product Quality Award 2008 – Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)

NASCO Foods was presented with this award for its firm commitment every year to the high quality of its food products.

Product Quality Award 2008 – Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)

NASCO Household was presented with this award for its firm commitment every year to the high quality of its household products.

Award of Excellence 2007 – Faculty of Law, University of Jos

This award was presented to the NASCO Chairman in recognition of his massive contributions to the development of the Nigerian economy.

Award of Honour 2006 – Nigeria Association of Athletics Technical Officials (NAATO)

NASCO Group was presented with this award for its continuous support to the development of sports and athletics in the country.

Vocational Service Award 2006 – Rotary Club

NASCO Group was presented with this prestigious award by the Rotary Club for its commitment to adhering to high ethical standards in all its business dealings.

Indigenous Company of the Year 2005 – Media Dialogue Communications Ltd.

NASCO Group was conferred with this important award by Media Dialogue Communications for being the best indigenous company of the year in Plateau State.

Most Valuable Employer 2004 – National Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF)

NASCO Group was presented with this award in recognition of its full compliance with the provisions of the NSITF Act, and for being one of the best places to work in the country.

Peace Award 2004 – Plateau State

NASCO Group was given this award for its contribution towards peace in the state through the provision of extensive employment generation activities.

Company of the Year 2003 – The Banker, Financial Times, UK

NASCO Group was presented with this major international award by The Banker for being the best company of the year in Nigeria.

Certificate of Excellence 2003 – Industrial Training Fund (ITF)

NASCO Group was presented with this award in recognition of its outstanding contribution to Human Resource development in Nigeria.

Merit Award 2002 – Plateau State Development Association

NASCO Group was given this award for its outstanding service towards the economic development of Plateau State over the years.

Marketing Award 1999 – The Chartered Institute of Marketing of Nigeria

NASCO Foods was presented with this important award for being the best market-driven biscuit company in the country.

Best Trade Name 1993 – 18th International Award, Madrid, Spain

NASCO Pack was presented with this prestigious international award for having the best global trade name in its sector.

Best Trade Name 1992 – 17th International Award, Madrid, Spain

NASCO Fibre was presented with this prestigious international award for having the best global trade name in its sector.

Paul Harris Fellow – The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International

This honour was given to the NASCO Chairman in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.

Award of Excellence – Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN)

NASCO Group was presented with this award in recognition of its quality products and for its strong support of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.

NASCO is very passionate about providing people with the essentials for a quality life. Its scale and breadth mean it operates across categories, with both premium and mass products. This gives the company leadership in many segments and allows it to present a complete product portfolio that meets the needs and aspirations of all its consumers.

NASCO also has one of the most efficient distribution networks in the region, ensuring that its brands reach millions of homes in faraway markets. Today NASCO is the largest private employer and taxpayer in Plateau State, and one of the largest private employers in all of northern Nigeria. The company directly employs thousands of talented people across its various sites and offices, and indirectly sustains the employment and livelihood of hundreds of thousands more people across the nation.

In its brand overview, NASCO Group is home to many famous brands that consumers trust. A lot of its brands have been around for many years, while some have been developed more recently to meet changing market trends. Since the company operates in a wide variety of local and regional markets, it carefully aligns its business with the wishes and needs of its end consumers. While it produces products of international standards, the majority of its brands are sold in these marketplaces, and thus meet local tastes and requirements.

Although its attractive brands and a total customer focus constitute a key element of NASCO’s corporate strategy, the company builds and maintains leadership positions through innovation and responsiveness, while consistently guaranteeing superior quality and value for money. Below is a selection of the various products that are manufactured in its factories.

As already established, NASCO is dedicated to achieving business success while having a positive impact on its community and society in general. Its core values are at the very heart of everything it does and forms the foundation of its business. They articulate the responsibilities it has to its customers, staff, shareholders and to the communities in which it operates. Its values challenge the company to put the wishes of the people it serves first, and they reinforce its ability to deliver high levels of business performance over the long term.

NASCO has developed a sustainable procurement roadmap to encompass environmentally friendly and ethical business practices into its purchasing processes. The company’s values ensure that all factors related to sustainability are taken into account when buying decisions are made. It maintains stringent quality standards and expects the same from all of its suppliers, regardless of where they are based. The company understands that with a fast-growing global population, there is a need to produce as much food as possible and to ensure that this is done sustainably.

NASCO is proud to be the champion of Nigerian agriculture by sourcing as much of its grains from local farmers. The company is actively involved in the Federal Government Policy of backward integration, which encourages and supports regional farms. It has invested substantially in large tracts of farmland to directly engage farmers for the supply of grains to the NASCO Riceco processing plant. Through such assistance, the revenue that is generated feeds back into rural communities and creates further benefits. The company’s objective is to empower and develop the capacity of local farming communities, boost national food security and widen export earnings via agricultural production.

In leadership, NASCO is committed to the sound principles of corporate governance and strives for the highest standards of ethics and integrity. Good corporate governance means responsible and transparent management and is essential to securing the trust of investors, employees, customers, and business partners. It ensures compliance with legislation and regulations and is vital to its long-term business success.

The company’s Board of Directors oversees the Group and is responsible for approving long-term strategy and driving shareholder value. The Board is composed of a mix of executive and non-executive directors who meet regularly to review the Group’s plans, capital budgets, and operating results. The Board believes that the principles of corporate governance provide a solid framework to support them in upholding their responsibilities while ensuring that the appropriate risk management processes are in place.

NASCO’s management team is composed of high-caliber, executives who bring leading-edge skills and decades of experience in the food and household sectors. They set the Group’s overall direction and are responsible for all major strategic, financial, and operational decisions. The management team pursues all strategic priorities in order to achieve corporate objectives and maximize shareholder value.

NASCO is a company of enduring strength with a solid financial base. This is due to the diversification of its revenues across various income groups, geographical areas, and product categories. Its business model creates value by meeting the needs of its consumers, developing mutually beneficial relationships with its partners, and achieving cost leadership through procurement and operational efficiencies. Its advanced R&D facilities, economies of scale, and geographical reach enable the company to transfer considerable cost savings to its customers. This highlights its commitment to producing high-quality products that are affordable and accessible while enabling healthy growth over the long term.

NASCO’s strategy is to continue its successful approach by increasing manufacturing capacity to capitalize on the strong growth in consumer spending in sub-Saharan Africa. The company is committed to consistent investment in research and technology to drive transformation throughout the business while reinforcing its brands and leveraging them into new categories. The company is also committed to strengthening its market presence, particularly in areas with above-average growth potential. Nasco aims to further extend the diversity, skill-base and international exposure of all its employees. With a clear vision for the future and a strong commitment to global best practices, NASCO is poised to continue to deliver consistent growth and sustainable profitability.

NASCO Group comprises several distinct business divisions, though each and every one of them is devoted to the same ideals. They all create and provide award-winning products and services of outstanding quality and value. The company’s core business is the production and distribution of a diverse range of food and household products, although its Group has activities in several other business areas. The majority of its manufacturing plants and offices are co-located in a massive industrial complex covering a one-kilometer highway stretch in the central city of Jos.

Nasco’s manufacturing facilities have the latest technology and automated machinery to ensure consistent quality and product excellence that is based on international standards. The company applies rigorous quality management procedures across all aspects of its operations which exceed the requirements of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The company, therefore, constantly enhances these procedures to ensure its products are always of the highest quality possible. Today, NASCO’s major factories are all ISO 9001:2008 certified.

NASCO has long been a leader in building sustainability into everything that it does, and the company is keen to remain in the vanguard of this effort. Sustainability is about preserving the company’s world for future generations, and its philosophy is about promoting a business that is friendly to the natural environment. The company is committed to reducing the impact of its activities on the environment throughout the entire value chain by enhancing its operations and by using its resource more efficiently. Its aim is to drive constant improvements that benefit the company as well as the environment.

Moreover, NASCO has been working closely with the National Environmental Standards & Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to develop and institute new mechanisms for ensuring a safer and cleaner environment across every part of the business. Across its production sites, the company has been implementing practices in the areas of water management, energy efficiency, and waste reduction. Throughout the company’s distribution network, it constantly looks at ways to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint. Hence, Nasco seeks opportunities to make more of its products with sustainable materials and to find ways to recycle its packaging.

At NASCO, the dream of a world where people live a quality life is a constant. The company’s corporate vision and mission statement give it a sense of purpose and direction, encapsulating its ambition of being the very best in everything that it does. This ambition has driven the company’s commitment to producing a rich portfolio of consumer products of the highest standards categorized Cereals, Biscuits, Detergents, Soaps, and of course, the Nasco Cube Sugar.

NASCO is dedicated to achieving business success while having a positive impact on its community and society in general. As earlier established, Its core values are at the very heart of everything it does and forms the foundation of its business.

As a point of emphasis, NASCO’s vision is to be the premier brand of consumer products in the nation and beyond. Its mission is to enrich the lives of its customers by providing them with products of superior quality and value… always!

All information was culled from The Nasco Group website.

However, bringing you up to speed with the ever-positive changes in the status of the Nasco Group, recently on 23 June 2022, The Sun published an article titled “NASCO cornflakes contributes to food security in Nigeria – Chairman, NASCO Group”. Below is a copy of the report courtesy, of The Sun.

The Chairman NASCO Group Nigeria, Dr Attia Nasreddin, has said that the new NASCO Food Limited cornflakes plant would contribute immensely to food security in Nigeria.

He noted that most Nigerian children take cornflakes on a daily basis which has enriched the consumption of vitamin A among children, pregnant women and nursing mothers in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan consumers.

Dr Nasreddin disclosed this on Thursday during the unveiling and commissioning ceremony of a new multi-million-naira cornflakes plant, “Farm2Home”, which was held at company headquarters in Jos, Plateau State.

“Nigerian farmers help to safeguard the country’s food security now and in the future. Food security in itself is futile if it does not reach Nigerian households,” Dr Nasreddin stated.

“Through our cornflakes plant, NASCO foods have worked relentlessly to bridge the gap between Nigerian homes and the inherent goodness of Nigerian maize.

“This new plant will continue to flake the rich yellow maize we use ensuring that NASCO cornflakes are fortified with vitamin A. We are aware of the high levels of vitamin A deficiency that have been reported in our populations. Nearly 30% among children, 19% among pregnant women and 13 % among nursing mothers.”

He said the product has been endorsed by the Nutrition Society of Nigeria.

Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong described NASCO as the most successful industry in Nigeria which has become a household name.

“On a larger economic scale, long before government started to promote self-sufficiency in food production – a policy which encouraged Nigerians to produce what they eat, NASCO’s adoption of the policy of back-ward integration in sourcing maize as its chief input for the production of cornflakes had empowered thousands of farmers on the Plateau and across many locations in central Nigeria,” the governor stated.

“This had directly impacted on the volume and quality of the maize that its suppliers were cultivating. Cumulatively, this process now integrates into the Buhari administration’s drive to develop the agriculture commodity supply chain, for which maize has been recognised as one of the most important commodities.”

Governor Lalong encouraged the business community and all citizens to be good ambassadors of Plateau State by bringing out issues that will promote the corporate existence of the people to attract local and foreign investors.

“We should avoid carelessly de-marketing the state on account of one minor unpleasant incidence. When we go to the social media and elsewhere to spread exaggerated or fake news that creates fear and anxiety in the heart of prospective investors, it discourages them from coming to do business in the state.

“We are glad that NASCO resisted this temptation over the years and today, they are the leading manufacturing company not only in Plateau State but in the country.”

The governor urged NASCO to continue to be the torchbearer that paves the way for investors to take advantage of the state’s serene environment.