After 17 years of inactivity, the production line of Okin Biscuits at its factory in Offa, Kwara State, has resumed operation, signalling a major step towards the revival of the iconic Nigerian biscuit brand.

The milestone was recorded on Wednesday when biscuits rolled off one of the rehabilitated production lines at the factory for the first time in nearly two decades.

The company said the development followed extensive rehabilitation of the production line after critical components, including cables, frequency drives, contactors, motors and other electronic equipment, were stolen during the years the facility remained inactive.

According to the company, the exercise was a technical trial run, rather than a product trial, with the primary objective of determining whether the long-dormant production line could be restored to operation.

"At this stage, we were not concerned about colour, appearance or achieving the final Okin recipe. The objective was simple: Can we bring this line, silent for 17 years, back to life? And we did!" the company said.

The successful trial represents a significant milestone in the rehabilitation of the Offa factory and efforts to return Okin Biscuits to the Nigerian market.

Another major development was the official reconnection of the factory to the 33kV Band A electricity grid by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), providing an important boost to ongoing rehabilitation and testing activities.

The company, however, acknowledged that additional work is required before full commercial production and the return of Okin Biscuits to the market.

It said more testing, calibration and rehabilitation would be carried out to ensure that the product's familiar taste and quality are restored.

The company described the development as a major moment in the brand's revival, noting that the production machinery was running, the ovens were firing and biscuits had begun rolling out again.

Founded in 1980, Okin Biscuits has remained one of Nigeria's notable indigenous biscuit brands. The revival of its Offa factory is expected to restore production activity and potentially renew consumer interest in the long-established brand.

Okin is coming back, one step at a time.