Unilever Nigeria Halts production of Lux, Omo, Leases out factory

Unilever Nigeria says it has stopped production and sale of home care and skin cleansing products — 10 months after the company announced plans to exit both markets.

The company disclosed this in its unaudited interim financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, published on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) on Wednesday.

On March 17, 2023, Unilever Nigeria revealed its intention to discontinue production of its homecare and skin-cleansing brands, which include Omo, Sunlight and Lux.

In a statement in the company’s earnings report, Unilever Nigeria said production and sales “ceased in December 2023”.

Unilever said the factory used to produce the home care and skin cleansing products has been leased out to a third party.

“After the company’s exit from the Home Care and Skin Cleansing categories, the factory buildings have been leased to a third party for a duration of 10 years, with annual rental payments,” the company said.

Unilever Nigeria’s exit from the homecare and skin-cleansing markets leaves the company with just the foods, beauty and wellbeing, as well as personal care products.

Before Unilever Nigeria’s exit from both markets, the company reported a decline in revenue and an increase in losses.

Revenue fell by 45.1 percent year-on-year to N16,48 billion in 2023, from N23,92 billion grossed between January to December 2022.

Also, the loss increased to N3.72 billion last year, compared to the previous year’s N1.49 billion.