Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN) has invested more than N300 million in 11 innovators and businesses through its Prize for Innovation (PFI) initiative, reinforcing its push to strengthen food security and promote sustainable food systems in Nigeria and across Africa.

The food and agro-allied group said the initiative has provided financial, technical and strategic support to businesses developing innovative solutions across food production, processing and agriculture since its launch in 2021.

According to FMN, the Prize for Innovation forms part of its long-term strategy to improve food security through product and process innovation, local content development and targeted investments across critical agricultural value chains.

FMN operates across grains, sugar, cassava starch, feeds and protein, edible oils and fats, with more than 17 facilities across Nigeria.

Building Sustainable Food Systems

The company said the PFI was created to identify and support promising businesses in the food and agro-allied sector while accelerating the development of more sustainable food systems.

“The brand’s commitment to the FMN Prize for Innovation is strategic and deliberately geared towards revolutionising and attaining food sustainability in Nigeria, and eventually across Africa,” FMN said.

The inaugural edition, launched in December 2021 under the theme “Enabling Sustainable Food Systems,” focused on reducing food production losses and waste while improving agricultural value chains.

Urban Akwu Agro-allied Limited and Eupepsia Place Limited, a company specialising in soilless farming through hydroponics, were among the winners of the first edition.

Focus Shifts to Local Production

The second edition focused on local content development, challenging participants to develop solutions capable of reducing dependence on imported raw materials and strengthening domestic production.

Osomobegbe Global Ventures Limited, which developed solar dryers, emerged as the overall winner. Tomato powder producer Palmark Syndicate Limited finished as first runner-up, while Indigo Farms and BioResources, which developed cassava-residue pellets for animal feed, placed second runner-up.

Innovations submitted during the first two editions ranged from solar-powered storage systems and hydroponic farming to bio-recycling plants and technologies capable of generating electricity from food waste.

Precision Agriculture and Livestock Innovation

For its third edition, FMN shifted attention to precision agriculture and food self-sufficiency.

D-Olivette, a company specialising in waste-to-biogas conversion, emerged as the winner, while Green Eden Farms and Farmspace Action Lab, focused on precision greenhouse farming and soil testing respectively, finished as runners-up.

The fourth edition targeted innovative livestock farming practices and attracted about 2,000 entries.

Levitate Aquaria & Breeder Farms won the top prize, while digital animal health company Vet Konect and Bionet Innovations, which transforms food waste and livestock droppings into high-protein animal nutrition, finished second and third respectively.

Cassava Innovation Draws Over 2,700 Entries

The fifth edition focused on cassava production and processing, attracting more than 2,700 entries.

Kiyoko Foods Limited, founded by Victoria Ogwanighie, emerged as the winner with an innovation that converts cassava into nutrient-rich cheese balls.

PNeedles Limited, which transforms cassava peels into plant-based leather, finished as first runner-up, while Bach and Moen Limited placed third with its cassava processing hubs designed to support smallholder farmers.

FMN said Ogwanighie became the first female winner in the competition’s five-year history.

The company added that its chairman, John Coumantaros, alongside the special guest of honour, doubled the prize money awarded to the top three finalists to N10 million, N6 million and N4 million respectively.

Beneficiaries Record Over 50% Growth

Beyond funding, FMN said participants have benefited from mentorship, technical assistance and other strategic resources designed to help scale their businesses.

According to the company, beneficiaries have recorded significant improvements in their operations after participating in the programme.

“From data and information garnered through the mentorship sessions and other strategic support provided to the winners, FMN discovered that all beneficiaries’ businesses have experienced remarkable growth, with their operations expanding by over 50 per cent since receiving the prize money and resources from FMN,” the company said.

FMN said it plans to continue investing in innovation and local content development as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s food production capacity and improve self-sufficiency.

The group also intends to expand the long-term impact of the initiative beyond Nigeria as it pursues broader efforts to support sustainable food systems across Africa.