Innovator List

Sector

Sex

Blurb

Flourish Kehinde

Agric

female

"Shea butter is a powerful natural resource that remains largely underutilized. While it is widely recognized for its benefits in skincare, most commercial products fail to tap into its full potential, neglecting its significant nutritional and medicinal properties. This creates a gap in the market for accessible, affordable, and versatile natural products that can serve a wide range of household needs in Nigeria and beyond. To address this problem, Flourish, through her brand Floxyflair Shea Ventures, has developed an innovative solution that unlocks the complete benefits of shea. The innovation lies in her approach to transforming raw shea into a multifaceted product line. Floxyflair produces edible-grade shea butter for cooking, a topical-grade shea for skin and hair care, and pharmaceutical grade extracts for healing balms, capsules, and lotions. By transforming shea into these three distinct and valuable forms, the brand not only bridges a significant market gap but also educates consumers on the full spectrum of benefits this versatile natural resource has to offer. This holistic model positions Floxyflair Shea Ventures as a leader in sustainable, natural product development, bringing the full potential of shea to households everywhere. "

Progress Ngoka

Agric

female

"Farmers and traders face a significant problem in many markets: beans affected by weevils are often considered worthless, leading to massive financial losses and increased food waste. Despite being safe for consumption after proper processing, the stigma surrounding these beans forces producers to sell them at steep discounts or discard them entirely. This issue not only harms the livelihoods of local farmers but also represents a missed opportunity to transform a valuable resource into a profitable food product. To address this, Ndoka Progress has developed an innovative solution. The company purchases weevil-affected beans at a low cost and transforms them into a high-quality product. The innovation lies in its meticulous process of cleaning, treating, and milling these beans into nutritious bean powder under hygienic conditions. Packaged in bulk, this affordable product provides a cost-effective alternative for culinary staples like akara and moin-moin, targeting restaurants and hotels. This model not only reduces food waste and supports local farmers by giving value to their previously unsellable produce, but it also provides a sustainable and economical food solution for the hospitality industry. "

Fatima Mohammed

Agric

female

"In Yobe and across North-East Nigeria, farmers face a critical problem: a lack of direct market access forces them to store their millet, sorghum, and beans for months, leading to significant post-harvest waste and income loss. While there is a strong demand for these indigenous, nutrient-rich grains, particularly among health conscious consumers nationwide and in the diaspora, the absence of a streamlined value chain leaves this agricultural potential untapped. This disconnect between producers and a viable market hinders economic growth and perpetuates a cycle of poverty for smallholder farmers. Fatima Mohammed Zarma is bridging this gap with an innovative solution that revitalizes the agricultural value chain. She focuses on connecting smallholder farmers to a larger, more profitable market by directly purchasing their harvests, processing and repackaging these grains. By applying modern branding and leveraging digital marketing, she effectively transforms raw agricultural products into a premium offering, making them accessible to a nationwide and overseas market. This not only provides farmers with fair pricing and a reliable off-taker for their produce but also significantly reduces post-harvest losses and empowers local communities. Through her work, Fatima is promoting healthier eating and building a sustainable business that champions authentic, homegrown products while creating a thriving economic ecosystem for farmers in the North-East. "

Patience Odumu

Agric

female

Kaduna State faces pressing agricultural challenges - limited access to irrigation water, soil degradation, food insecurity, and the impacts of climate change which hinder crop production and economic opportunities for farmers. Patience Odumu is addressing these issues through aquaponics and hydroponics, sustainable soilless farming methods that conserve water, increase yields, and reduce environmental impact. By integrating fish farming with plant cultivation in closed loop system and using nutrient rich solution for soil-free growing, her innovation provides a steady supply of fresh produce suited to Kaduna’s climate, helping secure food supplies and create new income opportunities.

Onyema Ojile

Agric

female

Nigeria produces over one million metric tonnes of tomatoes annually, yet nearly 40% is lost before reaching the market due to poor storage, inadequate processing facilities, and limited access to value adding technologies. This waste reduces farmer income, causes market shortages, and worsens food insecurity. Onyema Ojile is addressing this challenge through Naija Red Gold, which transforms surplus tomatoes and peppers into healthy, shelf-stable powder. Using a natural drying and blending process with zero additives, Onyema preserves nutrients, extends shelf life, and delivers authentic flavor all year round. This reduces post harvest losses, boosts farmer earnings, empowers rural communities, and strengthens the local value chain.

Peter Rejoice

Agric

female

In many farming communities, large quantities of harvested corn go to waste due to poor storage and limited processing options, leading to income loss for farmers. Rejoice Peter is tackling this challenge by purchasing corn in bulk, processing it into long-lasting corn powder, and selling it to consumers. She plans to acquire a solar-powered engine to make production more efficient, enabling her to save more farmers from post-harvest losses while providing customers with a convenient, preservable food product.

Alice Daniel Usman

Greeneconomy/Recycling

female

"In many rural Nigerian communities, two significant problems converge: the challenge of farm waste disposal and a lack of access to affordable, renewable energy. Crop residues, animal manure, and other biodegradable materials are often left to degrade naturally or are improperly disposed of, leading to environmental pollution and lost economic opportunities. This forces communities to rely on expensive and environmentally harmful energy sources, hindering economic development and perpetuating a cycle of environmental degradation. Alice Usman, Co-founded YALGreen Energy, an innovative solution to this dual challenge. She addresses this gap by converting agricultural waste into clean biogas and biomass energy using simple, scalable biodigester technologies. Her solution lies in her creation of a circular economy model where farm waste is not just a problem, but a valuable resource. YALGreen Energy's solution provides rural households and small businesses with sustainable, clean energy for cooking and lighting, while the byproduct, bio-slurry, is used as an organic fertilizer. This not only improves soil health and boosts crop yields but also reduces the reliance on expensive chemical fertilizers. By creating green jobs and promoting climate-smart farming, Alice is fostering rural empowerment, environmental conservation, and sustainable development across Nigeria. "

Aminu muhammad Gaddafi

Agric

female

"Nigerian maize farmers struggle with low yields, a problem caused by poor-quality seeds, unstable rainfall, high fertilizer costs, and limited access to markets. These interconnected challenges trap them in a cycle of low income and uncertainty, making it difficult to achieve food security and economic stability. To address this, Aminu has developed an innovative solution that tackles multiple problems at once. He provides farmers with hybrid maize seeds that require less fertilizer and water, are resilient to harsh weather, and can produce two harvests a year. This significantly boosts crop yields and reduces production costs. In addition to supplying premium seeds, Aminu offers hands on training in modern farming techniques and directly purchases the farmers' harvests, eliminating the market access problem, providing a reliable income stream and empowering farmers to escape the cycle of poverty and uncertainty. "

Daniel People Usman

Agric

male

"Nigerian farmers, particularly smallholders, face a devastating problem: significant post-harvest losses and limited access to profitable markets. Inefficiencies in the agricultural value chain lead to an estimated annual loss of N635 billion, with up to 40% of produce wasted. Farmers are often forced to sell their crops to intermediaries at prices 20-50% lower than market value, trapping them in a cycle of low income and uncertainty. This disorganized system not only harms livelihoods but also contributes to food insecurity and higher prices for consumers. Daniel created Mayal Agricultural Services Co. Ltd. An innovative solution to this systemic problem with its E-Farmers Market platform. This solution connects farmers directly to buyers, reducing post-harvest losses and increasing market access. Beyond its digital marketplace, Mayal has established physical mini-market stores to provide a structured and organized space for farmers to sell their produce directly. The company also innovates by transforming raw agricultural produce into 9 NAFDAC-approved value-added products, reducing waste and creating high-demand, export-ready goods. Daniel offers vendor subscriptions, financial literacy training, and agronomic services. He is revolutionizing farming, processing, and consumption in Nigeria, creating a sustainable ecosystem that benefits farmers, consumers, and the entire agricultural landscape. "

AMINA UMAR

Agric

female

"Fish farming in Nigeria is hampered by several critical challenges, including reliance on unsustainable feed sources, poor water management, and outdated farming systems. These issues not only lead to low productivity but also contribute to significant environmental degradation, making it difficult for farmers to comply with regulations and maintain ecosystem balance. This results in a lack of profitability and a threat to the long-term sustainability of the aquaculture industry. Umar Amina has developed a solution that tackles this problem by promoting sustainable aquaculture. Her solution integrates eco-friendly, plant-based feeds with efficient water recirculation and waste treatment systems. To ensure ecosystem balance, she champions polyculture and Integrated Multi Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), where multiple species are grown together, creating a self-sustaining environment. This method increases yields and reduces waste and the need for external inputs. Amina also introduces and trains farmers on these diverse, sustainable farming systems including ponds, recirculating aquaculture, and cage systems. She is enabling higher productivity while ensuring compliance with environmental and safety standards, paving the way for a more profitable and environmentally conscious fish farming sector in Nigeria. "

Fatima Yakubu Bello

Agric

female

"Insecurity in Yobe State has displaced rural farmers, stripping them of their livelihoods and worsening food insecurity and economic hardship. Without access to land, tools, or markets, many struggle to rebuild their lives. Through the Refugee Farming Initiative (RFI), Fatima Yakubu Bello provides 450 secure urban farming plots, hands-on training, and access to quality seeds via partnerships with manufacturers. RFI connects farmers to markets and buyers, ensuring stable income while restoring food production. The initiative not only rebuilds livelihoods but also drives local economic growth, creates jobs, and strengthens community cohesion."

Priscilla Sambo

Agric

female

"In many communities, poultry farmers face soaring costs for imported chicken feed, driving up the price of eggs and chicken and making quality poultry products unaffordable for everyday households. Even small-scale farmers and families raising chickens at home often compromise on feed quality due to cost, impacting food security, income, and farming sustainability. Through Junes Farm, Sambo Priscilla produces affordable, non-toxic chicken feed made from natural, locally sourced ingredients. This innovation lowers poultry production costs by 20–30%, enabling farmers to produce more at lower prices. By making poultry farming more accessible and profitable, Junes Farm boosts local food supply, improves household incomes, and strengthens community resilience."

Queen Marshall

Agric

female

"The rising cost of living, medication, and healthy whole-grain foods has made it increasingly difficult for people especially those living with chronic conditions like diabetes to maintain their health. Many, including retirees, struggle to afford both essential medication and the nutrient-rich foods needed to manage their condition, leading to worsening health outcomes and reduced quality of life. Driven by a personal experience, Queen Marshal is making affordable, nutritious whole grains such as Hungry Millet (Acha), Finger Millet (Tamba), and Red Sorghum more accessible to people living with diabetes. These grains are powerful tools for blood sugar management, especially when medication costs are high. Beyond supplying these life-changing foods, she partners with hospitals, the Diabetes Association of Nigeria (Kaduna State Chapter), and leverages social media to raise awareness, educate communities, and empower people to take control of their health, even in times of financial hardship."

Zumunta hassan Kwaja

Agric

female

"Poultry farmers in Kaura Local Government, Kaduna State, face high mortality rates among their birds and rising feed costs. Many must travel long distances to buy feed, increasing expenses and limiting access. This not only reduces farmers’ profits but also threatens local poultry production. Zumunta Hassan Kwaja is tackling these challenges by producing affordable, locally made poultry feed using traditional methods and readily available ingredients such as soya beans, maize, bones, totowa masara, wheat, fish meal, and rice bran. This approach reduces costs, ensures a constant supply of feed within the community, lowers farming risks, and boosts poultry farmers’ productivity."

Grace Dauda Kajit

Agric

female

"In the past three years, grain supply in the local market has dropped drastically. Farmers are unable to produce their usual quantities due to inadequate access to fertilizers, which reduces yields and drives up food prices. Grace Dauda responded by venturing into livestock farming piggery and poultry to produce affordable, organic manure. By collecting, drying, and mixing droppings from pigs, goats, birds, and cows, she creates nutrient-rich fertilizer that is packaged and sold to farmers at a price much lower than chemical alternatives. This eco-friendly solution not only boosts crop yields but also promotes sustainable farming practices in the community."

Phebe Ajalusi

Agric

female

Rising feed costs and the soaring prices of protein based ingredients are forcing thousands of smallholder farms in Kaduna to shut down, while tons of edible food waste from markets, hotels, and households are discarded daily. Phoebe Ajalusi tackles both challenges with an organic waste to feed recycling system that transforms food waste into safe, protein rich livestock feed enhanced with Black Soldier Fly protein. Through a tech enabled ordering and delivery platform accessible via smartphones and USSD to ensure farmers can get affordable, high-quality feed delivered to their doorstep, reducing costs, cutting waste, and boosting farm productivity.

Joyce James Gandu

Greeneconomy/Recycling

female

"In Nigeria, grain milling faces high energy costs, unreliable power supply, and environmental degradation challenges that reduce millers’ profit margins, raise consumer prices, and stifle economic growth. Joyce Gandu is transforming this reality with a solar-powered grain milling plant in Saminaka, Kaduna State. By harnessing abundant sunlight, her solution cuts energy costs by up to 70%, boosts profit margins, and reduces environmental impact. Strategically positioned in a grain-rich region, Joyce’s innovation not only powers efficient milling but also opens doors for new agro-products, partnerships, and a more competitive, sustainable food processing sector. "

Naomi Bakimi Agwaza

Agric

female

"Smallholder and peri-urban vegetable farmers often struggle with low yields due to poor quality, pest infested seedlings and limited access to practical farming knowledge. This leads to reduced incomes for farmers, higher prices for consumers, and inconsistent supply of fresh vegetables to urban markets. Naomi Bakimi provides high-quality, pest and disease free vegetable seedlings and delivers hands-on farmer training to improve yields. By equipping farmers with better planting material and skills, she boosts productivity, ensures affordable vegetables reach urban consumers, and creates a sustainable income stream through seedling sales and paid training."

Grace Hosea

Fintech

female

"In Nigeria, rural women farmers contribute significantly to food production but face major barriers to accessing capital and mechanized farming tools. Limited collateral, low financial literacy, exclusion from formal banking systems, and lack of awareness about available grants or loans keep them trapped in low productivity and hinder economic growth. Grace Hosea’s AgriBridge Initiative connects women farmers with financial institutions and agricultural grants by acting as a trusted intermediary. The initiative offers proposal writing, application guidance, and post-funding support to ensure investments are channeled into mechanized farming. She charges a small facilitation fee from successfully secured funds, AgriBridge creates a sustainable model that empowers women, boosts productivity, and drives rural economic transformation."

MUHAMMAD AMINU ABUBAKAR

Agric

male

"In Mohammad Aminu's farming community, the reliance on manual labour severely limits productivity, resulting in low yields of approximately 50 bags of grain per hectare. This is in stark contrast to other African farms that utilize mechanization to achieve more than double the output. The lack of access to affordable farming equipment traps local farmers in a cycle of low productivity, preventing them from reaching their full potential and hindering food security. To solve this problem, Mohammad has developed a shared-use model, which allows a single set of machines to be utilized by multiple local farmers. This not only makes expensive equipment more accessible and affordable but also increases planting efficiency and crop yield for the entire community. The plan also includes comprehensive training to empower farmers with the skills to operate the machines effectively. This collaborative approach will help farmers gradually improve their productivity, increase their income, and collectively advance food production and livelihoods. "

Abdullahi Usama

Agric

male

"Nigerian bean farmers face significant problems such as low crop yields that prevent them from reaching their full productivity potential. This issue stems from a reliance on outdated farming methods, the use of poor-quality seeds, and limited access to modern agricultural inputs. These challenges result in financial losses for farmers, a decline in food production, and a discouragement of new entrants into the farming sector. To address this Abdullahi developed a solution focuses on empowering farmers with data-driven knowledge and superior inputs. It involves conducting soil and fertilizer tests to provide a clear understanding of what a farm needs, followed by the strategic sourcing of high-quality, improved seed varieties. By demonstrating that a change in inputs and practices can more than double yields per acre, this model provides a tangible, actionable solution. The innovation lies in making this success repeatable for other farmers, inspiring them to adopt modern seeds and practices to boost their own harvests, improve their livelihoods, and contribute to national food security. "

George Galadima

Agric

male

"Farmers in Nigeria face multiple challenges that limit productivity and profitability, including high costs of organic and inorganic fertilizers, persistent insect and pest infestations (such as termites), and crop losses from open grazing. These issues increase production expenses, reduce yields, and threaten food security. George Galadima has developed an innovative Crop Nutrient Supplement/Crop Booster Supplement in both liquid and solid form, tailored for ginger, maize, and rice. Rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, this product improves crop yields by 24%, reduces input costs by 20%, and saves 80% of pesticide expenses. It also protects soil health, accelerates nutrient absorption, and offers a cost-effective, eco-friendly alternative that supports sustainable farming."

Jireh Moses

Greeneconomy/Recycling

male

"In traditional fish drying, many farmers lose up to 40% of their stock due to excessive heat from charcoal-based processing. This method not only reduces profitability but also exposes processors to harmful heat, contributes to deforestation from charcoal production, and poses environmental hazards. Jireh Moses has developed a solar-powered oven that offers a cleaner, safer, and more efficient fish drying process. This eco-friendly technology reduces post-harvest losses, eliminates charcoal use, protects the environment, and lowers processing costs. It also creates new job opportunities in fish farming, processing, packaging, and transportation boosting local economies while making dried fish more affordable and sustainable."

Augustine Baye

Agric

male

"In many developing regions, including Nigeria, 40–50% of perishable crops are lost after harvest due to the lack of adequate cold storage. With unreliable or no access to electricity in rural areas, traditional refrigeration is often impossible or too expensive. This leads to massive farmer income losses, reduced food security, and limited market access for small producers. Through SolarChill, Augustine Baye provides innovative, solar-powered cold storage units designed for off-grid and underserved communities. These units are 100% solar powered, eliminating electricity and fuel costs, affordable enough to store even small quantities like a single basket, and built to withstand tough rural conditions, helping farmers preserve produce, reduce waste, and access better markets"

Isah Saidu

Agric

male

"Poultry farmers often face high feed costs, which can take up the largest share of their production expenses. At the same time, valuable agricultural by products like maize shield are frequently discarded as waste, leading to both economic loss and environmental impact. Isah Saidu has developed an innovative chicken feed made from maize shield, turning what would be waste into an affordable, nutritious poultry feed. By producing and selling it at minimal cost, he helps farmers cut expenses, reduce waste, and make poultry farming more profitable and sustainable."

Ismail Ahmad

Agri Tech

male

"Agriculture, the backbone for over 27% of the global workforce, is under increasing threat from climate change, pests, diseases, and post-harvest losses. Smallholder farmers, who grow nearly 80% of the world’s food, face erratic weather, droughts, floods, wildfires, and crop diseases without real time monitoring or early detection systems. This results in 20–40% crop losses globally and up to 30% post-harvest losses in Africa, weakening food supply chains, reducing incomes, and threatening food security. Ismail Ahmad created AgroGuard, a smart agricultural support system that uses IoT sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, soil moisture, rainfall, and fire risks in real time. The system sends instant alerts via SMS, buzzers, and LED indicators when danger is detected. It also features AI-powered crop disease detection farmers can take a photo of a plant, get instant diagnosis, and receive treatment advice. Additionally, AgroGuard recommends the best crops for a farmer’s land based on local weather, soil, and resilience data, helping farmers make proactive, informed decisions and reduce preventable losses."

Balmun Daniel

Agric

male

"Across Sub-Saharan Africa, 33 million smallholder farmers, who produce about 70% of the region’s food, struggle with low productivity due to limited access to mechanization, affordable and timely farm inputs, real-time agricultural support, and financial tools. About 85% lack credit scores, making loans inaccessible, and only 27% have access to tractors. Individual input purchases cost up to 50% more, and delays in delivery hurt planting cycles. Inefficient and fragmented services contribute to 30% yield losses, keeping many farmers trapped in poverty. Through Idle Farm, Daniel is empowering smallholder farmers by providing shared mechanization so farmers can access tractors without high upfront costs, with local agents managing bookings via a web app and GPS coordination. The platform enables bulk input procurement and last-mile delivery, helping farmers save up to 30% on quality seeds and fertilizers delivered on time. It also offers data-driven insights and financial tools that support agroeconomic decision-making and improve access to credit. A hyperlocal agent network ensures farmers, even in remote areas, receive personalized and reliable support."

Ahmed Hamid

Agric

male

"Beekeeping is a vital agricultural activity due to its role in pollination, which supports ecosystem balance and crop production. However, in Nigeria, the sector remains underdeveloped, with limited adoption of advanced techniques that could improve honey yield, colony health, and profitability. Many communities lack structured strategies for sustainable bee farming and are unable to fully tap into the economic and environmental potential of the bee value chain. Ahmad Hamid is introducing advanced beekeeping techniques that enhance honey production while safeguarding the health and longevity of bee colonies. His approach promotes the implementation of local bee farming strategies that not only sustain ecosystems but also open new business opportunities, diversify product offerings, and boost profitability. By encouraging the establishment of enterprises along the bee value chain, his work supports existing bee communities and drives economic development in Nigeria. "

Godiya Adamson

Agric

female

In many farming communities in Kaduna, groundnut processing remains largely small-scale and traditional, resulting in inconsistent quality, limited market reach, and reduced profitability for producers. Godiya Adamson, through her venture Godiya Chops, is tackling this challenge by introducing specialized and efficient groundnut processing methods that enhance product quality and consistency. By scaling production and creating value-added groundnut products, she is opening access to wider markets, improving incomes for farmers, and transforming a common crop into a thriving agribusiness opportunity.

Fatima Suleiman Umar

Agri Tech

female

"Nigerian agriculture faces significant challenges, including over 40% post-harvest losses, low productivity from manual farming, and the increasing unpredictability of climate change. These issues contribute to the nation's high dependence on food imports, costing over $10 billion annually. Fatima Suleiman has developed a groundbreaking solution to these problems with her Sunlight to Smart Harvests initiative. Fatima's innovation is a solar-powered, off-grid greenhouse system that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize farming practices. The system uses solar panels to power sensors that monitor soil moisture, temperature, and crop health. AI algorithms, specifically trained on Nigerian crops, analyse this data to predict optimal harvest times and detect pest or disease outbreaks with up to 90% accuracy. Farmers receive these critical, AI-driven insights and alerts via a low-bandwidth app or SMS, ensuring accessibility even for those with limited technology. This system not only reduces post-harvest losses and boosts productivity but also enables year-round, high-yield farming, offering a sustainable and profitable alternative to traditional methods. "