How workplace wellness becomes strategic tool for food security in Nigeria

As food inflation continues to bite and nutrition gaps widen, workplace wellness may hold the key to strengthening food security and productivity in Nigeria.

For decades, compensation in Nigeria’s corporate sector has been measured almost entirely by salary. However, with rising food prices, paychecks alone are no longer enough to guarantee that workers can afford healthy diets.

Food experts warn that this has direct consequences for employee health, absenteeism, and long-term productivity.

Globally, corporate wellness initiatives — such as workplace meal plans, nutrition workshops, and preventive health care — are increasingly being adopted as strategic investments in food security and employee well-being.

But in Nigeria, these practices remain at an early stage, leaving many workers struggling with stress, burnout, and limited access to affordable, nutritious meals.

Recent initiatives are beginning to address this gap. To make wellness a daily workplace reality for Nigerian companies and employees, Country Life Corporate Wellness is bridging this nutrition gap through flexible and innovative packages that help companies invest in the health of staff.

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“Our mission is simple,” says Samuel Ajani, founder of Country Life, and a passionate health enthusiast. “We want to bring wholesome wellness into the workplace because preventive care is better than curative care. Wellness shouldn’t be an afterthought; it should be part of everyday corporate life.”

According to him, such interventions could also ease pressure on household food security. With more than 70 percent of workers spending a huge chunk of their salaries on food, providing balanced meals at the workplace could reduce dependence on expensive, less nutritious street food.

“A workforce that feels energised and cared for is the foundation of any thriving business. In Nigeria, employees spend more time at work than at home, while many remote workers lead sedentary lifestyles that harm long-term health. This makes workplace wellness interventions not just relevant, but urgent,” Ajani noted.

For him, adopting corporate wellness will cause employees to increasingly choose employers that invest in their well-being, and healthy employees are more focused and productive.

Some of the packages provided include fresh seasonal fruits and nutritious alternatives delivered directly to the office, balanced, energising meals and wellness bundles that support focus and productivity, as well as expert-led sessions inspiring healthier lifestyle choices.

In today’s competitive landscape, corporate wellness is no longer a perk; it is a strategic business decision that strengthens culture and drives long-term growth.

Ajani said that as corporate jobs continue to evolve, the definition of compensation must expand. Salary is important, but salary alone is no longer enough.

“Employees want to feel valued not only for their output but also as individuals with physical, nutritional, and mental health needs,” he said