Nestlé Nigeria Posts Q1 2025 Revenue Surge, Profitability Rebounds
Nestlé Nigeria Plc has kicked off 2025 with an earnings rebound, posting ₦294.9 billion in revenue for Q1 — a 61% year-on-year jump from the ₦183.5 billion recorded in the first quarter of 2024. More significantly, the consumer goods giant has swung from deep losses last year to a ₦30.2 billion profit after tax, signaling a decisive return to financial health.
In a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd., Nestlé reported that its operating profit for the quarter rose 254% to ₦74.1 billion, up from ₦20.9 billion in the same period last year. Profit before tax climbed to ₦51.2 billion, a dramatic turnaround from the ₦196.1 billion pre-tax loss reported in Q1 2024 — a quarter marred by forex volatility and inflationary shocks.
Elhusseini’s Playbook Delivers: Efficiency, Focused Innovation, and Consumer Proximity
Chief Executive Officer Wassim Elhusseini attributed the impressive recovery to what he described as “unwavering operational discipline”, backed by focused innovation and agile supply chain strategies. According to Elhusseini, the Q1 performance reflects the continuation of Nestlé Nigeria’s turnaround momentum, which first emerged in Q4 2024.
“The 61% top-line growth and ₦30.2 billion profit after tax demonstrate that our focused efforts are yielding results,” he said. “We are committed to margin enhancement, innovation, and creating long-term stakeholder value.”
BRANDECONOMY ANALYSIS: Nestlé’s Return to Form and Why It Matters
Nestlé Nigeria’s Q1 2025 results are not just a bounce back; they are a strategic reset following a tumultuous 2023 and a bruising 2024, both of which exposed cracks in supply chain resilience, forex exposure, and cost inflation. The company’s pivot towards local sourcing, route-to-market optimisation, and portfolio renovation appears to be paying off.
In 2024, Nestlé Nigeria was among the hardest-hit multinationals, with its earnings battered by the Central Bank’s FX liberalisation and surging input costs. The Q1 2025 figures suggest the company has now stabilised its cost structures, strengthened pricing power, and regained consumer trust in a highly competitive FMCG market.
Furthermore, the ₦30 billion equity improvement highlights a more sustainable capital position, likely improving investor confidence and unlocking future investment options — particularly in innovation and rural market penetration.
Key Financial Highlights (Q1 2025 vs. Q1 2024):
| Metric | Q1 2025 | Q1 2024 | % Change |
| Revenue | ₦294.9 billion | ₦183.5 billion | +61% |
| Operating Profit | ₦74.1 billion | ₦20.9 billion | +254% |
| Profit Before Tax | ₦51.2 billion | (₦196.1 billion) | Rebound |
| Profit After Tax | ₦30.2 billion | (₦142.7 billion) | Rebound |
| Equity Position | Improved by ₦30 billion | – | Strong Upside |
What’s Driving Growth?
- Stronger Consumer Pack Goods (CPG) Demand: Despite inflation, Nestlé’s iconic products — from Milo to Maggi — remain household staples.
- Route-to-Market Reinforcement: Focus on rural and underpenetrated zones appears to be yielding volume growth.
- Product Renovation: The company has accelerated innovation pipelines with more affordable SKUs and value-oriented packs.
- Margin Expansion Strategy: Cost discipline and local raw material sourcing have helped blunt the FX and energy shocks.
Outlook: Innovation, Efficiency, and Community Investment
Looking ahead, Elhusseini pledged to sustain growth in Nestlé Nigeria by doubling down on innovation, enhancing margin management, and expanding community-based initiatives that support youth employment, nutrition, and education.
“Our focus is on shared prosperity — creating products that meet local needs while supporting inclusive growth,” he said.
BRANDECONOMY Verdict: A Strong Signal for the FMCG Sector
Nestlé Nigeria’s results could be a harbinger of broader recovery across Nigeria’s Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector. With rising consumer resilience, easing FX pressures, and a more predictable policy environment in Q1 2025, players with scale and agility — like Nestlé — are well-positioned to lead.
