By Wale Sanyaolu
In the Nigerian culinary industry, the name, Celestine Ebubeogu stands out. He is one of the brains behind the classy Tiger Foods Ltd, the Onitsha, Anambra State-based food spices manufacturing company.
Essentially, Celestine shares entrepreneurial background with his mother who owned a catering outfit in Onitsha in the 1980s. The history of Tiger Foods Limited can therefore, be traced back to his mother’s thriving catering outfit back then. Celestine, together with his brother, Don, co-founded Tiger Foods, which is today a market leader in the spices sub-sector.
When Tiger Foods was formally registered as a business enterprise in 1996, no one estimated that it could go this far. In 27 years, the company has made a name to reckon with in the food industry.
Using his experience, technology and innovation, Ebubeogu has made Tiger Foods Limited a household name. He has set a standard of excellence in the food industry, recognising the need for evolution, and strategically shifting his company’s focus from just catering activities to industrial food production. This transition was marked by a commitment to continuous innovation, resulting in the introduction of products that seamlessly blend tradition with modernity.
With an annual processing capacity of 10, 000 metric tons of raw materials, and over 700 staff strength, Tiger Foods has soared beyond the imagination of industry players. As a firm believer in backward integration, Tiger Foods Limited sources its raw materials from farms established across the country, including Ebubeogu’s hometown, Akokwa, in Ideato Local Government Area, Imo State, Anambra, Ondo, Kaduna and Nasarawa states.
Tiger Food’s range of products, which are certified by the International Standards Organisation (ISO), include Curry Powder, Thyme, Nutmeg, Clove, Cinnamon, Peppercorn, Garlic, Ginger, Fennel, Cardamom, Dill, Tomato Paste, Rosemary, Sweet Basil, Turmeric, Bay Leaf, Sage, and Calabash Nutmeg. They are specialty blends of spices and seasoning with a tinge of West African taste.
With strategic partnerships, distribution networks, and a keen understanding of diverse global taste preferences, Tiger Foods is the only spices and seasoning company that is whole indigenous. This is why Ebubeogu is The Sun Industrialist of the Year, 2023.