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The very idea by Engr. Segun Emmanuel Olaye to mass process, preserve, package and market highly nutritious, locally available and popular food items to appeal to millions of consumers across the globe is commendable. Amongst the products are plantain flour, rice flour, cassava fufu, beans flour, brown beans, and of course, the best seller called “poundo yam”. Just mention that signature brand and what follows is the name, Ayoola Foods.
Incorporated in September, 1991 as Ayoola Foods Limited, with Engr. Olaye as the founder, Managing Director and Chief Executive it is exciting to note that under his able leadership the company has grown from a Micro Enterprise into a Medium type. Located at Plot 7-9, Ayoola Street, Gemade Estate, by Gowon Estate Extension, Ipaja Lagos, its services have reached out to its esteemed customers not only in Nigeria but across the globe.
As events have evolved over the years, the company has exhibited the capacity for growth into a large scale business.The success story is no doubt traceable tothe commitment of other directors and management staff.As its moving mantra, Ayoola Foods reiterates that: “Quality is at the heart of everything we do and we work hard to ensure that we provide products that are both delicious and nutritious”. This comes as interesting take.
Though its initial focus was the exportationof Nigerian products to meet the desire of Nigerians and Africans in the Diaspora for African Foods, the company however, shifted its focus in 2004 to the Nigerian market. This came with the introduction and aggressive promotion of Ayoola Poundo Yam, the flagship product of the company. Good to note that as at today it is the market leader among similar brands in the country.
So far, Ayoola Foods has not regretted taking that stride forward. Making a determined foray into other local food products, it prides itself as behind the production of the best tasting natural beans flour that Nigerians of all ages and ethnicities have come to love. It has created unique flavours with the brown beans and beans flour which can be cooked in different ways.
Read also: Ayoola to absolve VAT increase, assures consumers’ of stable prices
Apart from asking its numerous customers to enjoy their Poundo Yam, Plantain Flour or Rice Flour with the favourite egusi vegetable soup, it also boasts that bread has never tasted better with its gluten-free and delicious cassava bread made with organic Ayoola cassava flour. And as for waffles or what Nigerians call ‘akara’ Ayoola Foods produces them with the beans flours to the taste of its teeming consumers across the country.
To drive its Quality Policy, the company has established a quality management system to ensure that every product that is processed and packaged meets quality standards worldwide. This quality assurance is one feature that distinguishes it from its competitors. Engr. Olaye, reiterated this resolve when he commended the company’s distributors across the country, saying their activities have helped in its growth and performance in the past years. This statement madeat the company’s 2019 Customer Forum which was held in Lagos about a year ago.
Back then he assured the distributors of Ayoola Foods, which is a major player in Nigeria’s food sector with a broad product portfolio and a robust pan-Nigerian distribution network, that the company will not relent in supporting distributors in their logistics distribution network to enhance their business.
“At Ayoola Foods, we have been able to identify the fact that our key distributors are actually our major drivers in this business. So they matter so much to us, and it is important to us to know who they are, where they are, what they do. Interestingly, we are number one in the market,” he added.
He said winners of the various cash gifts have contributed immensely to the company’s revenue, adding that Ayoola Foods is extremely grateful for their contribution in driving the growth and development of the company.
While commending the distributors and customers on their patronage over the years, the company’s Head of Marketing and Sales, Olanrewaju Adisa, urged them to do more in the distribution of its various products.
He said that Ayoola Foods has been able to create a niche for itself with its indigenous high quality food products that meet national and international standards in production and packaging methods for the satisfaction of customers. According to him, Ayoola Poundo Yam is unarguably Nigeria’s number one alternative to the stressful pounded yam with the taste and aroma of pounded yam freshly prepared without the stress of pounding.
He also mentioned that the Ayoola Plantain Flour made from unripe plantain consists of carbohydrate, dietary fibre, vitamin and minerals. “It makes an alternative food for people with diabetics and other health issues.
The piece of good news is that despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, high costs of logistics courtesy of hike in electricity tariff and the pump price of petrol, it is marching forward strong with an unwavering focus to deliver its mandate to the abiding consumers.
Amongst such consumers is Mide Ariyo, who has this to say about Ayoola products: “I love Ayoola Poundo Yam. It saves me the stress of pounding especially since my husband loves it so much”. On his part, Adebanjo Keji stated emphatically that: “I like Ayoola Poundo Yam because to me its flawless, the texture and taste is just like pounded yam made with the mortar”.
Having a different favourite of the products, Angela IremideI stated that: “I love Ayoola products and my favourite is the Beans Flour. Reason being that I love eating Akara but the stress of peeling beans is too much but since I bought Ayoola Beans Flour, I can make my Akara anytime of the day! It has the same texture of freshly ground beans. I also use it for ‘danwanke’ which is a Hausa delicacy”.
One other fascinating factor that has drawn customers to the products is the affordable price. For instance, a pack of Ayoola Poundo Yam goes for N2,800 while a bigger pack of 4.5kg costs N6,550. Also, the 1.8kg that comes in double form costs N8. 200. While the cassava flour of 0.9 kg of three packs go for N5,200, the plantain flour of 1.8kg goes for N3,000. And the 0.9kg pack of brown beans in two packs cost N3,135. The rice flour of 0.9kg in three packs cost N6,500.
All said, the ability to breathe life into our dreams, add the needed value to local products and elevate them to international standards while remaining consistent, against all odds would always stand entrepreneurs in good stead. That is what Ayoola Foods has amply demonstrated.
