Flour Mills scales down Nigerian operations, eyes Pan-African expansion

 

Maureen Aguta

 

The Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC (FMN) has announced that it has commenced restructuring of operation in Nigeria, saying the move is aimed at securing its future as a regional industrial powerhouse.

The company had recently announced a share acquisition plan aimed at transitioning the firm’s structure to better align with its long-term growth strategy.

The company in a statement described the move as a critical step towards becoming a Pan-African food leader, it is betting big on its ability to unlock value, grow its presence across Africa, and continue contributing to Nigeria’s economic prosperity, and inspire diversified business growth and returns.

FMN has been a staple of Nigeria’s economy for 64 years, growing from a single flour milling company into a diverse Group spanning food production, agriculture, logistics, and more. However, the company said that conglomerate structure—while effective in past decades—is now seen as limiting the company’s ability to fully capitalise on the opportunities presented by Africa’s growing markets.

A senior executive of the company said,”FMN is restructuring to unlock substantial value and enhance its competitiveness across Africa.” According to him, the restructuring will allow the company to streamline its operations, focus on its core strengths, and pursue growth opportunities across the continent more nimbly. The share acquisition plan, which involves purchasing minority shares, is central to this new strategy.

Nigeria’s economy and the African opportunity

According to the company, the timing of the restructuring is not coincidental. It noted that Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, is undergoing significant reforms under its current administration, saying these reforms, aimed at diversifying the economy, are creating opportunities for companies like FMN to play a more prominent role in the nation’s food security and economic development.

“We are committed to the growth of Nigeria, a mandate we have fostered for over six decades,” said Chairman FMN Board, Mr. John G. Coumantaros. “Also, in line with the Group’s Pan-African vision this positions us to make more meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s economic growth and progressively across the continent.”

According to him, the restructuring positions FMN to not only expand its footprint across Nigeria, but also capitalises on broader regional growth opportunities, starting with West Africa. He added that by leveraging its long-standing expertise in food production and supply chain management, the company aims to become a key player in addressing the region’s food security challenges.

Meanwhile, there have been concerns about changes in ownership control, but the company says this restructuring is driven by its long-term growth strategy, firmly anchored in its Nigerian roots. “The initiative is focused on enhancing operational efficiency, unlocking value, and expanding its influence across Africa.”

FMN has reassured stakeholders that the move will reinforce, not alter, its commitment to contributing to Nigeria’s economy and supporting local industry.

Minority shareholders, meanwhile, are being offered a significant premium on their shares, giving them the opportunity to unlock substantial value. The offer, it was disclosed, reflects the company’s commitment to fair, transparent corporate governance and commitment to effective stakeholders’ relations.

FMN further stated that with the restructuring process well underway, its next challenge will be executing on its Pan- African growth plans, saying the company has already laid the groundwork by investing in local supply chains, creating jobs, and partnering with local farmers to improve agricultural outputs. These efforts not only contribute to Nigeria’s food security but also strengthen the company’s ability to scale its operations across Africa.

“As FMN embarks on this next chapter, the message is clear: this is not a story of foreign control, but one of Nigerian leadership steering the company towards regional growth and global competitiveness. The restructuring is a critical step in ensuring that FMN remains a key contributor to Nigeria’s economic development, while positioning itself as a leader in Africa’s food security landscape,” the company said.