Chief Dr. Eric Umeofia || The Man Behind Erisco Foods

In the heart of Nigeria’s food manufacturing industry stands a remarkable man whose life story inspires determination, resilience, and patriotism. Chief Dr. Eric Odinaka Umeofia is the founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Erisco Foods Limited, a proudly Nigerian company that produces tomato paste, seasoning cubes, and other food products.

He is not just a businessman. He is a passionate Nigerian who believes that the country must grow what it eats and eat what it grows. Through Erisco Foods, he has fought hard to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported food and create jobs for thousands of Nigerians.

Early Life and Humble Beginnings

Chief Eric Umeofia was born in Nigeria and hails from Amichi, a town in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, in the southeastern region of the country. Like many successful entrepreneurs, his story is one of humble beginnings. He started his business journey in the 1980s, at a time when the Nigerian economy was unstable. But even at a young age, he was determined to make a difference. He believed that Nigerians could produce their own food instead of depending on foreign countries. This strong belief would become the foundation of his life’s work.

In 2004, Umeofia founded Erisco Foods Limited. At first, the company started small. But with his determination and vision, Erisco grew into one of the leading food companies in Nigeria. By 2014, Erisco Foods had established the largest tomato paste manufacturing plant in Africa, located in Lagos. The factory has the capacity to process 450,000 metric tonnes of tomatoes annually. This was a big step for Nigeria because it helped reduce the importation of tomato paste, a product that many Nigerians consume every day.

Before this, Nigeria was spending billions of naira importing tomato paste from China and other countries. With the rise of Erisco Foods, the country began producing its own high-quality tomato paste under the brand name Nagiko Tomato Mix.

Products and Contributions

Erisco Foods is not just about tomato paste. The company produces a wide range of food products, including:

Nagiko Tomato Mix

Erisco Seasoning Cubes

Ric-giko tomato paste

Nagiko Jollof Mix

Erisco Ketchup

Nagiko Curry and Thyme

These products are proudly made in Nigeria using mostly local raw materials. Erisco Foods provides jobs for thousands of Nigerians, directly and indirectly, across its factories and distribution networks. Through his company, Chief Umeofia contributes to food security, economic development, and industrial growth. His focus has always been on encouraging local production and reducing Nigeria’s over-dependence on imported goods.

Awards and Recognition

Over the years, Chief Eric Umeofia has received several awards and honors for his achievements in business and contributions to national development. Some of these include:

National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award by the Federal Government of Nigeria

Industrialist of the Year by New Telegraph Newspapers

Numerous local and international honors for his promotion of local content and food sufficiency. He is also known for his philanthropy and community support. Erisco Foods regularly donates food items to orphanages, disaster victims, and less-privileged people in society.

Controversies and Legal Challenges

Like many successful businessmen, Chief Umeofia has also faced challenges and controversies. One of the most publicized cases happened in 2023 when a Nigerian woman, Chioma Okoli, made a post on Facebook criticizing the sugar content in Nagiko Tomato Mix. Her post, which went viral, caught the attention of Erisco Foods. The company described the post as false, harmful, and part of a larger campaign by foreign importers to discredit local products. The company filed a lawsuit against Okoli, asking for ₦5 billion in damages.

The matter sparked a national debate about freedom of expression, consumer rights, and corporate responsibility. Some people supported the woman’s right to express her opinion, while others believed businesses also had the right to protect their reputation.

In several interviews, Chief Umeofia stated that the attack on his product was not ordinary. He claimed that some importers were sponsoring false reviews to damage local producers so they could continue to dominate the Nigerian market. Despite the controversy, Umeofia remained focused on his mission: protecting his business and ensuring that Nigeria does not go back to full dependence on imported food.

His Belief in Nigeria

One of the most inspiring things about Chief Eric Umeofia is his strong belief in Nigeria. Despite the challenges of doing business in the country such as poor electricity supply, policy instability, and foreign exchange issues, he has continued to invest in local production.

He once revealed in an interview that many foreign investors and even some government officials advised him to move his factory to another country like Ghana or South Africa. But he refused. His reason? “If we all run away, who will build Nigeria?” His love for the country and belief in the potential of local industries is what sets him apart. He often speaks against government policies that favor importation over local production. He believes that for Nigeria to move forward, the government must support its local industries through policies, access to finance, and infrastructure.

Philanthropy and Community Development

Chief Umeofia is also known for giving back to society. Through Erisco Foods and personal efforts, he supports many charitable causes. He has donated relief materials to internally displaced persons (IDPs), contributed to religious and community events, and offered scholarships to indigent students.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Erisco Foods distributed food and medical supplies to various communities in Lagos and beyond. He is a strong believer in shared prosperity, and he regularly urges other successful Nigerians to help develop their communities.

Family and Personal Life

Though he is a public figure in the business world, Chief Umeofia keeps his personal life relatively private. He is a traditional title holder and is highly respected in his hometown of Amichi and across Nigeria. He is also known for his deep religious faith and humble lifestyle.

Chief Dr. Eric Umeofia is more than just a businessman. He is a patriot, visionary, and builder. His life story teaches us that with hard work, belief in your dreams, and love for your country, anything is possible. Through Erisco Foods, he has shown that Nigeria can produce world-class products. He has fought against the odds, faced criticism, and taken bold steps to grow a business that serves millions of Nigerians every day.

In a country where many prefer to import, Chief Umeofia chose to build. And in doing so, he has become a symbol of what it means to believe in Nigeria.