Unilever Nigeria faces restructuring impact as parent company plans global foods merger with McCormick.

Unilever Nigeria Plc says it may lose control over its foods business following a major global restructuring plan announced by its parent company, Unilever Plc, which is set to merge its global food segment with McCormick & Company, Inc.

In a statement submitted to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on Wednesday, the company said it is currently assessing the implications of the proposed transaction on its local operations and corporate structure.

The statement, signed by company secretary Peter Dada, confirmed that the merger agreement is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

“Unilever Plc (the parent company), officially announced on March 31, 2026, that it has entered into an agreement to combine its global foods business with McCormick & Company, Inc., subject to required regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions,” the statement read.

It added that the deal is expected to reshape the global food business landscape.

“This global transaction is expected to create a new combined group specializing in the flavors and food products,” it stated.

“At this stage, the Company is evaluating the specific implications of this global transaction on its local operations and corporate structure.”

Unilever Nigeria also noted that further details regarding transition plans, timelines, and operational changes will be communicated to the Nigerian Exchange and shareholders once received from the parent company.

The planned merger is expected to significantly affect earnings across both Unilever Plc and its Nigerian subsidiary, as the foods segment remains a key revenue driver.

Under its global structure, Unilever Plc operates four major segments: beauty & wellbeing, personal care, home care, and foods. However, Unilever Nigeria does not operate a home care segment, based on its 2025 revenue breakdown.

Financial data shows that for Unilever Plc, the personal care division generated the highest revenue in the previous year at €13.2 billion, followed closely by foods at €12.9 billion, beauty and wellbeing at €12.8 billion, and home care at €11.6 billion.

In Nigeria, however, the foods business remains dominant, generating N127.85 billion in 2025 revenue, compared to personal care’s N60.08 billion and beauty & wellbeing’s N26.35 billion.

Unilever Plc also disclosed that the transaction is valued at $44.8 billion, structured through a mix of shares and cash.

“In this Transaction, Unilever and Unilever shareholders will receive a proportionate mix of McCormick’s existing voting and non-voting common stock, equating to 65.0% of the fully diluted combined company equity, equivalent to $29.1 billion based on the last 1-month volume-weighted average McCormick share price of $57.84,” the company said.

It further explained that $15.7 billion in cash would also be received, subject to closing adjustments, to offset separation and tax costs, reduce debt, and support planned share buy-backs between 2026 and 2029.

“The Transaction reflects an enterprise value of $44.8 billion for Unilever Foods,” it added.

Unilever shareholders will ultimately hold 55.1% of the combined entity, while Unilever itself will retain a 9.9% stake, which the company said reflects its confidence in the strategic value of the merger.

“Over time, and not earlier than one year after closing, Unilever intends to sell down its stake in an orderly and considered manner,” the statement noted, while McCormick shareholders will own the remaining 35.0% of the combined company.

The transaction, structured as a tax-efficient “Reverse Morris Trust,” is expected to be tax-free for U.S. federal income purposes, helping to reduce overall transaction costs.

Unilever Plc said the deal is expected to be completed by mid-2027, subject to shareholder approval from McCormick, regulatory clearances, and other customary closing conditions. (AriseNews TV)

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