THE ESTHER OLUFUNMILAYO STORY
From Accountant to Industry Architect
In 1970s Ibadan, a meticulous accountant named Esther managed Mrs. Hannah Idowu Awolowo's clothing line while helping raise the Awolowo children. Little did anyone know this combination of financial precision and nurturing care would build one of Nigeria's most reliable distribution network.
"Her integrity opened doors that capital couldn't," recalls a longtime Olam executive. When Madam Esther approached them in 1995 about distributing their rice, they didn't see just another trader—they saw a partner who understood that "in distribution, your word is your only currency."
“We Didn’t Just Supply Markets—We Built Them ”
TIMELINE: Our Journey Through Five Decades
1974: Started as sole trader in salt and flour
1980s: Expanded to rice and spaghetti, pioneered Daleko Market
1990s: Added noodles, embraced computerized inventory
2000s: Became major Dangote distributor, led Rice Distribution Association
Today: 5,000+ retail partners, 0 supply chain failures even during COVID.
Company Values
The Principles That Built 50 Years of Trust
INTEGRITY: "We honor handshake agreements as binding contracts." During the 2008 global rice crisis when prices tripled overnight, we honored all pre-crisis contracts at original prices—taking a significant margin hit but preserving every customer relationship. "That year, we lost profit but gained permanent trust," says Mr. Seyi Odumuyiwa, Son of Madam Esther.
RELIABILITY: 99.3% on-time delivery isn't a target—it's our minimum standard since 2010.
PARTNERSHIP: We don't just supply products; we share market intelligence, forecast demand, and grow together.
INNOVATION: From ledger books in the 70s to real-time digital tracking today, we invest in technology that serves our team and partners.