Membership Overview
What is the SUN Business Network?
The SUN Business Network (SBN) is the world’s leading private sector initiative focused on improving nutrition:
- As part of the global Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, SBN unites governments, civil society, the United Nations, donors, businesses, and researchers in a collaborative effort to address malnutrition and promote better nutrition worldwide.
- SBN serves as the private sector branch of this movement, empowering businesses to expand their role in advancing nutrition solutions.
- In Nigeria, the SUN Business Network is facilitated by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), driving impactful partnerships and initiatives to transform food systems.
Vision of the SUN Business Network Nigeria
Vision: To be the focal point for promoting action by business towards improving nutrition for public health impact in Nigeria
Why Join?
Benefits of Membership
- Network with Industry Leaders: Connect with companies and stakeholders passionate about nutrition and expanding the nutrition market.
- Shape Policy: Contribute to a collective voice for nutrition in Nigeria’s private sector and influence government policy and regulatory improvements.
- Stay Informed: Receive updates on food industry trends and policy changes impacting your business decisions.
- Showcase Contributions: Highlight your business’s role in improving nutrition at national and global levels through SBN platforms.
- Global Exposure: Gain international visibility as a champion of improved nutrition via the SBN website.
- CSR Opportunities: Access Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives to enhance community nutrition while aligning with your business goals.
- Build Partnerships: Explore collaborations with private sector members, NGOs, professional associations, and other organizations working on nutrition.
- Access Training and Guidance: Participate in workshops and events offering practical advice to enhance your company’s commercial engagement in nutrition.
- Join the Movement: Be part of a national initiative driving market growth and expanding private sector involvement in nutrition.
How to become a member
Membership Commitments
Before formally joining the SUN Business Network (SBN) as advocates and supporters of improved nutrition in Nigeria, we ask organizations to acknowledge the following commitments:
Your Commitments to SBN
As a member, your organization agrees to:
- Support the SUN Business Network and actively contribute to its vision of promoting business actions for improved nutrition and public health in Nigeria.
- Adhere to the Principles of Engagement outlined below.
- Share general information about your organization and its efforts to support improved nutrition.
- Market consumables in compliance with the established national regulatory framework.
Principles of Engagement
SBN members pledge to:
- Uphold equity and the rights of all individuals, including women, men, and children.
- Act with moral and social responsibility within a competitive nutrition market and advocate for improved nutrition in Nigeria.
- Support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights and avoid complicity in human rights abuses.
- Comply with UN guidance on health and nutrition, including the International Code on Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes and related World Health Assembly resolutions.
- Work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.
- Eliminate all forms of discrimination in employment and occupation.
Membership Nutrition Commitments
As part of the membership process, organizations are invited to identify at least one corporate goal that contributes to improving nutrition in Nigeria. These goals, referred to as “Nutrition Commitments,” will guide your efforts and help measure private sector progress toward achieving national nutrition goals.
Examples of Nutrition Commitments
- Providing training or investing in agricultural projects to encourage produce diversification, reduce risk, and increase dietary diversity.
- Implementing staff education programs on nutrition to reduce sick leave and increase worker productivity.
- Developing fortified food and drink products for low-income consumers.
- Increasing market penetration of nutritious food products, making them more accessible to a wider range of consumers.
- Reducing production costs to make nutritious foods more affordable.
- Innovating and investing in new product development for nutritious consumables with marketing campaigns to drive demand.
- Implementing innovative sales models (e.g., door-to-door sales) to improve access to nutritious foods, especially for women and rural consumers.
Voluntary Commitments
In addition to mandatory commitments, members can include voluntary commitments that go beyond existing business goals to further improve nutrition. The SBN team will support you in refining and achieving these goals.