Unity in sustainability: Stakeholders call for collaboration among businesses, government, consumers

From left: Sustainability & CSR Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Oluseye Olokun; Head, Corporate Communications and Sustainability Lead Nestle Nigeria, Victoria Uwadoka; Chief Operating Officer, Nigerian Climate Innovation Centre, Adamu Garba; BJAN Panel Discussion Moderator, Shina Iteade; Head Sustainability & CSR, Guinness Nigeria, Aderonke Aderinoye and Corporate Communication Manager, Rites Foods, Dennis Aideloje, at the 2025 BJAN World consumer rights day in Lagos

Stanley Ihedigbo

Stakeholders have emphasized the need for a collaborative approach among businesses, government, and consumers to drive sustainability, stressing that a united front is crucial to achieving a sustainable future and addressing the pressing environmental and social challenges facing the world today.

In her keynote address,  Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kratos Sustainability Consult, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan,  highlighted the importance of a just transition to sustainable lifestyles.

She emphasised that this transition is not just about reducing waste or promoting eco-friendly products, but about ensuring that everyone has access to sustainable alternatives without compromising their quality of life.
Victor-Laniyan noted that the current global consumer landscape is unsustainable, with the surge in consumerism leading to climate change, deforestation, water scarcity, and waste accumulation.

She further emphasised that the problem is not that they consume too much, but that they consume unfairly, with the most vulnerable populations bearing the greatest burdens of environmental harm.

She called for a just transition that acknowledges the needs of workers, communities, and countries that will be impacted by the shift to sustainable lifestyles, stressing the importance of fairness, equity, and protection of vulnerable populations in this transition.

“The transition to sustainability must be grounded in justice. It must account for the needs of those who have been historically excluded from the benefits of development and must ensure that the most vulnerable populations are not left behind,” Victor-Laniyan stated.

Other speakers at the event including; Head, Corporate Communication and Sustainability Lead, Nestle Nigeria, Victoria Uwadoka; Sustainability and CSR Manager, Nigerian Breweries, Oluseye Olokun; Head, of Sustainability and CSR, Guinness Nigeria, Aderonke Aderinoye and Corporate Communication Manager, Rites Foods, Dennis Aideloje, and Chief Operating Officer, Nigerian Climate Innovation Centre, Adamu Garba, shared their organizations ‘ initiatives and commitments to sustainability.

The notable corporate entities emphasised the importance of collaboration and collective action on attainment of a just transition to sustainable lifestyles.

In his welcome address, Daniel Obi, Chairman of the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN), highlighted the importance of consumer awareness and education in promoting sustainability.

He called on businesses to develop sustainable products, embrace ethical production, and educate consumers on the benefits of sustainability.
He further commended partners including Nestle Nigeria, Dangote Group, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Guinness Nigeria, UBA, Nigerian Breweries, Access Bank and EXMAN.

Others are Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN), Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), X3M Ideas, Rites Foods Nigeria, Integrated Indigo, Flour Mills Nigeria, First Bank, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), and Towncrier Nigeria.

The rest are, BUA Group, Mouka Nigeria, Unilever, Seplat Energy, Cadbury, Verdant Zeal, Kratos Sustainability Consult, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) , Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).