Govts, industries play pivotal to sustainable supply chains — Victory Ikpe

Victory Ikpe, a senior data analyst with expertise in supply chain management at a leading global retailer, has averred that governments and industries play pivotal roles in fostering sustainable supply chains.

Ikpe noted that governments can promote sustainability by enacting supportive policies, offering tax incentives for green practices, and funding research into sustainable technologies.

“Industries, on the other hand, need to prioritise sustainability in their corporate strategy, invest in research and development for sustainable practices, and lead by example in corporate social responsibility.

“Both sectors can accelerate progress by collaborating on international standards for sustainability, investing in educational programmes to raise awareness, and creating platforms for sharing best practices”.

Armed with a Master’s degree in Applied Statistics and Decision Analytics, Ikpe integrates data-driven methodologies to enhance sustainability within supply chains. Her role involves analysing supply chain operations and developing strategies to minimise environmental impact while maintaining efficiency and profitability.

Asked what inspired her to focus on sustainable supply chains, she said: “In response to the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020/2021, my journey into sustainable supply chains began shortly after graduating from the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

“Together with a close friend, I co-managed ONWUMAH Logistics, a last-mile delivery service that faced a tremendous influx of orders.”

“This period of intense demand led me to develop a data-driven optimisation strategy dubbed ‘Fit for Purpose.’

“This strategy implemented targeted delivery windows based on consumer availability, significantly reducing our environmental impact and improving our operational efficiency by minimising fuel consumption and enhancing customer satisfaction. These initial successes in streamlining logistics operations sparked my broader interest in supply chain sustainability.

Shedding light on the sustainable supply chain she developed, Ikpe said: “The Sustainable Supply Chain Model I developed addresses key challenges in retail by focusing on reducing waste and enhancing efficiency.

“It combines lean supply chain principles to eliminate unnecessary processes and overstocking, integrates advanced technologies like real-time data analytics for improved decision-making, and emphasises sustainable practices such as eco-friendly packaging and renewable energy.

“This practical approach helps retailers reduce costs, meet consumer demands for sustainability, and improve overall operational effectiveness.”

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