Berger Paints boss demands shift to problem-solving innovation

L-R: Founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Chair Centre Group, Ibukun Awosika; Chairman, Berger Paints Nigeria Plc, Abi Ayida; Independent Non-Executive Director, Berger Paints, Erejuwa Gbadebo; Non-Executive Director, Adekunle Olowokande; and Group Managing Director, Alaba Fagun, during the unveiling of Berger Paints’ Cool Comfort, heat-reducing paint in Lagos recently. | Credit: Berger Paints Nigeria Plc

The Chairman of Berger Paints Nigeria Plc, Abi Ayida, has called for a shift from product-driven innovation to solutions that address real economic, environmental, and social challenges confronting Nigerians.

Speaking in Lagos at the unveiling of Berger Paints’ CoolComfort thermal paint solution, Ayida stated that innovation should be measured not merely by the novelty of a product but by its usefulness and ability to create tangible value.

“Innovation is not simply about producing something new. It is about producing something useful and solving problems,” Ayida said.

CoolComfort, designed for both interior and exterior surfaces, is engineered to reduce heat absorption in buildings while supporting energy-efficient and comfortable indoor environments. The product was unveiled at an industry forum that convened professionals and stakeholders across real estate, construction, architecture, design, finance, sustainability, facility management, and government to deliberate on the future of Nigeria’s built environment.

Ayida emphasised that Berger Paints’ decades of experience in the country’s built sector place a responsibility on the firm to apply its knowledge to contemporary challenges. He noted that the rising demand for structures capable of responding to Nigeria’s climatic conditions, while delivering comfort and resilience, makes practical innovation imperative.

He further advocated stronger interdisciplinary collaboration among industry stakeholders to address the sector’s systemic issues.

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Reiterating this vision, the Group Managing Director of Berger Paints, Alaba Fagun, explained that CoolComfort was developed to address evolving consumer needs and environmental shifts.

“The journey to CoolComfort was inspired by the need to enhance how Nigerians live in their homes and workspaces. We wanted to create a solution that responds to our climate, supports the wellbeing of occupants, and contributes to energy conservation,” Fagun said.

Fagun added that extensive engagements with building owners, professionals, and occupants revealed that building quality must extend beyond physical structures and finishing.

According to her, building performance should be evaluated by the comfort, efficiency, and overall experience provided to users, describing CoolComfort as part of Berger Paints’ response to emerging challenges in the built environment to ensure Nigerian buildings “perform better, feel better, and contribute to an improved quality of life.”

Also speaking at the forum, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Chair Centre Group, Ibukun Awosika, urged businesses to deepen their understanding of consumers and respond deliberately to changing market dynamics.

Delivering a keynote address titled “Innovation as a Catalyst for Sustainable Growth,” Awosika stated that innovation must transcend new technologies and processes, describing it as a mindset that challenges established practices, identifies emerging needs, and delivers lasting value centered on quality, safety, and customer experience.