Transforming Nigeria’s food supply chain, Erumusele unveils his vision for innovation and safety

Erumusele Onotole, a leading expert in supply chain management with over 20 years of experience, is at the forefront of driving transformative change in Nigeria’s food and pharmaceutical sectors. With professional credentials as a member of the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), United States, Erumusele is combining his vast expertise in logistics, risk management, and technology to ensure safer, more efficient supply chains across Nigeria.

His innovative vision aims to tackle pressing issues in Nigeria’s food supply chain, particularly in relation to food safety, quality, and preservation. By integrating cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain and cold chain solutions, Erumusele is laying the foundation for a secure and sustainable food distribution system that can enhance food security and public health.

Leveraging Blockchain for Transparency and Safety
A key component of Erumusele’s strategy is the integration of blockchain technology into Nigeria’s food supply chain. This solution addresses the ongoing challenge of unsafe food storage and fraudulent practices affecting the country’s food safety standards. Blockchain provides a transparent and secure way to track the movement of food products from production to distribution, ensuring that consumers receive high-quality, safe food. By incorporating blockchain, stakeholders such as distributors, retailers, and consumers can trace food products throughout their journey. This would allow for real-time verification of food’s origin, quality, and handling, ensuring its safety and authenticity. The introduction of blockchain technology, combined with QR code systems, will empower consumers to verify the source and safety of the food they purchase, helping to reduce the risks associated with contaminated or expired products.

Building Cold Chain Infrastructure to Preserve Food Quality
Alongside blockchain, Erumusele is also focusing on the critical need for cold chain infrastructure to preserve temperature-sensitive products such as fresh food and pharmaceuticals. To mitigate the risk of spoilage and ensure the safety of perishable goods, Erumusele envisions the construction of cold storage facilities across Nigeria. These facilities, already exemplified by the newly completed pharma-grade warehouse in Kaduna, would help preserve the quality of both food and pharmaceutical products during transportation and storage.

The cold chain infrastructure would be equipped with IoT sensors that monitor the temperature and conditions of stored goods, ensuring compliance with safety standards. This technology will provide real-time data on the condition of perishable products, making it easier to detect any deviations from required storage conditions. It would be particularly beneficial for regions with significant agricultural production, such as Edo, Niger, and Benue states, where fresh produce would be safely transported to consumers, reducing food loss and waste.

Enhancing Food Security and Supporting Local Farmers.
In addition to improving food safety, Erumusele’s cold storage solution addresses Nigeria’s growing food security challenges. With the strain on the food security system due to off-season rationing and rising food prices, the establishment of cold storage facilities will enable local farmers to store and transport their fresh produce efficiently. It will help ensure a year-round supply of high-quality agricultural products, benefiting both farmers and consumers.

Erumusele’s vision includes the creation of over 1.75 million square feet of cold chain infrastructure across Nigeria. This will not only improve the storage and transportation of fresh food but will also enhance the availability of products during off-season periods, helping to stabilize food prices and reduce waste. By improving food distribution and reducing spoilage, Nigeria can significantly improve its food security and support the livelihoods of local farmers.

A Secure and Efficient Food Supply Chain
The integration of blockchain and cold chain technologies offers a comprehensive solution to Nigeria’s food supply chain challenges. These innovations will create a transparent, secure, and efficient system that ensures food safety and quality from production to consumption. By improving traceability, preventing food spoilage, and reducing fraud, Erumusele’s approach will revolutionize Nigeria’s food distribution system and contribute to greater food security.

Furthermore, these advancements in supply chain management will foster economic growth by enhancing technological capabilities, supporting local agriculture, and improving public health standards. With Erumusele’s leadership, Nigeria can look forward to a future where innovation drives food safety, strengthens local economies, and promotes the well-being of all citizens.

Erumusele is committed to advancing technological solutions in logistics and is dedicated to improving the safety, quality, and efficiency of Nigeria’s food and pharmaceutical supply chains. Through his vision, he aims to help Nigeria become a leader in innovative, secure, and sustainable supply chain solutions.