Shareholders of BUA Foods Plc at the 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, on Thursday, 26 September 2024, approved the proposed final dividend payment of ₦5.50k per share.
The indigenous food manufacturing giant announced impressive financial performance as it recorded a revenue of ₦729.4bn, a 74.4% increase compared to the previous year. Profitability remained strong, demonstrating its resilience amidst evolving market dynamics, especially rising input costs. Profit after tax showed an impressive year-on-year growth, up 23%, from N91bn reported in 2022 to ₦112bn in 2023.
Addressing shareholders during the meeting, the Chairman of the Board, Abdul Samad Rabiu, thanked the shareholders for their undaunted commitment to the company’s shared vision. He mentioned that BUA Foods’ strategic focus on capacity expansion, and market penetration coupled with sound governance, yielded significant success.
He said: “Last year we successfully expanded and commercialised additional capacity in flour, pasta, and rice divisions, resulting in impressive volume growth across these divisions and overall strong business performance. With recent strategic agreements and new facilities planned for completion next year, we will become the country’s biggest pasta and flour milling company.”
“Our performance is a testament to the resilience of our business strategies, underpinned by a culture of strong corporate governance. We are also focused on the optimisation of our internal processes to maintain excellence in a fast-changing world. With the dedication of our Management and staff, we will continue to deliver exceptional value to all stakeholders.”
Speaking further on growth ambitions, Rabiu said, “In 2024, we remain focused on accelerating efforts towards the completion of our Backward Integration Project in line with the extended Federal Government’s Sugar Master Plan 2.0, aimed at attaining self-sufficiency in the sugar sector”.
“Additionally, we seek to further address key challenges in Nigeria’s rice production industry by enhancing local production, empowering farmers, and promoting sustainable practices. This project will contribute to food security, economic development, and environmental sustainability”.
Also commenting, the Managing Director BUA Foods, Engr. Ayodele Abioye (PhD), said “Despite the challenging macroeconomic environment, we made good progress across key strategic pillars of expanding capacity, markets, products, and package offerings as well as expanding business capabilities with a focus on operational excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth.
“We will continue to leverage technology, innovation, and operational efficiencies to drive value creation and maintain a solid growth trajectory. We are committed to reinforcing our leadership as a home-grown food business with purpose.”
Speaking on the dividend pay-out, a shareholder, Mrs. Bisi Bakare, expressed her delight at the exceptional performance of the company.
She remarked, “We shareholders are very pleased today to receive a final dividend of N5.50 kobo from BUA Foods.
“I appreciate the board for putting smiles on our faces in this hard time. Declaring a N5.50k dividend despite the economic climate is very commendable and this has encouraged us to want to invest more.”
Another shareholder of BUA Foods, Farouq Muktar, commended the management for the year-on-year growth of the indigenous food manufacturing company.
He said, “I am very happy because of your commitment and the positive results we keep recording. This performance is highly commendable.
“We appreciate your strategic thinking which is one thing Nigerians need at this time. I commend BUA Foods management for always making us happy and not letting Nigerians down.”
In 2023, BUA Foods won several awards from reputable organizations. Among the awards won are Food Company of the Year, Innovative Indigenous FMCG Company of the Year Award, and Fastest Growing Food Manufacturing Company of the Year.
