Onome Amuge
Nigeria’s consumer goods sector is experiencing a resurgence, with several of the country’s largest companies turning around recent losses to post record-breaking profits. Aided by a gradual stabilisation in the macroeconomic environment and the strategic ability to raise product prices to offset rising input costs, firms are not only multiplying their earnings but also rewarding shareholders with exceptional returns.
Data from financial publications show that several companies stand out for their exceptional efficiency in generating profits from shareholder equity. Guinness Nigeria, for instance, recorded a 315.76 percent return on average equity (ROAE), a key metric that measures how effectively a company uses shareholder capital. Not far behind, Cadbury Nigeria posted a 214.96 percent gain, while BUA Foods and Nascon Allied Industries registered increases of 93.03 percent and 72.03 percent, respectively.
Industry data shows that the 10 largest consumer goods firms collectively reported a profit of N475.05 billion in June 2025. This marks a turnaround from the equivalent period a few years ago, when the same group was in a deep loss position of N435.85 billion. The sector, which was previously hit hard by a sharp depreciation of the naira and subsequent foreign exchange revaluation losses, appears to have largely surmounted these challenges.
This financial recovery has coincided with a broader improvement in Nigeria’s economic data. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that the nation’s headline inflation rate fell to 21.88 percent in July 2025, a decrease from 22.22 percent the previous month. While still elevated, this trend towards stability provides a more favourable backdrop for consumer spending and business operations, reinforcing the firms’ strategy of adjusting prices to maintain profitability in the face of persistent cost pressures.
However, the gains have not been uniform across the board. While some companies flourish, others continue to struggle. The analysis highlights a group of companies described as profit burners whose ROAEs remain below the industry average. This group includes Unilever Nigeria (32.47 percent), Nigerian Breweries (32.09 percent), and International Breweries (17.59 percent). Furthermore, firms like Honeywell and Nestle Nigeria posted lower or negative returns, indicating a divergence in performance and strategy within the sector.
The optimism surrounding the sector has not been lost on investors. The consumer goods segment has emerged as a star performer on the Nigerian Exchange All-Share Index (NGXASI), as investors remain positive about the potential for continued earnings growth.
Share appreciation has been a key reward for shareholders, with companies like Cadbury Nigeria leading the pack with a year-to-date (YTD) return of 178.14 percent. Other strong performers include Nascon Allied Industries (188.68 percent), Honeywell Flour Mills (260.32 percent), and Nigerian Breweries (123.40 percent), alongside Guinness Nigeria (+121.71 percent). Even BUA Foods and Dangote Sugar Refinery, with YTD returns of 41.60 percent and 72.15 percent respectively, have provided attractive returns, reinforcing the sector’s overall health.
