Flour Mills of Nigeria has concluded the fifth edition of its FMN Prize for Innovation (PFI), with a female entrepreneur emerging as the winner for the first time in the competition’s five-year history.
According to a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Monday, at the grand finale held on May 15, 2026, Victoria Ogwanighie, founder of Kiyoko Foods Ltd, clinched the top prize after competing against four other finalists selected from over 2,700 entries received for the competition.
Her innovation, Sorghum Cheese Balls, converts cassava into nutrient-rich cheese balls aimed at improving child nutrition, reducing post-harvest losses, and supporting sustainable food systems.
As part of the competition, the Chairman of FMN, John Coumantaros, announced a significant increase in prize money for the top finalists.
The winner’s prize was increased from ₦5 million to ₦10 million, while the first and second runners-up received ₦6 million and ₦4 million respectively.
Speaking during the event, Coumantaros said, “The FMN Prize for Innovation reflects the core of our commitment to fostering sustainable solutions within Nigeria’s food and agro-allied sector. We are proud to support entrepreneurs whose innovations have the potential to transform the cassava value chain and create lasting economic impact.”
Ogwanighie, who received ₦10 million alongside mentorship and brand promotion support from FMN, said the recognition would help expand the impact of her business.
“Our goal is to create affordable and nutritious food products from cassava while empowering local farmers and reducing food waste. This support from FMN will help us scale production and reach more communities,” she said.
Emerging as first runner-up was Joshua Attat of Pneedles Limited, who won ₦6 million for developing plant-based leather from cassava peels.
The second runner-up position went to Valentine Okoli of Bach and Moen Ltd.
His company received ₦4 million for establishing cassava processing hubs that produce instant Abacha and cassava-based snacks with longer shelf life.
Other finalists rewarded during the event included Sadiq Muhammad of Amsadaf Ventures and Rashidat Ayoola Oluwafemi of Farmavi Agro, who each received ₦1 million for their innovations in mechanized farming solutions and cassava-based bio-fertilizer production, respectively.
The FMN Prize for Innovation focuses on promoting practical and scalable innovations capable of strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural value chains and supporting food security.
Closely ranking first runner-up in the competition is Pneedles Limited, owned by Joshua Attat. P-Needle converts cassava peels – an abundant agricultural waste, into sustainable, plant-based leather.
By transforming waste into a valuable material, they reduce environmental pollution, support circular economy practices, and provide an eco-friendly alternative to conventional leather.
Bach and Moen Ltd by Valentine Okoli was the second runner-up, a position he clinched through his innovative project of cassava processing hubs that enable smallholder farmers to quickly transform fresh cassava to stored longer shelf life and into high-value food products with a longer shelf life.
By combining efficient processing technologies with product innovation, Bach and Moen convert cassava into modern convenience foods such as instant Abacha and nutritious cassava-based snacks. The model allows farmers to process their harvest within hours, preventing spoilage while expanding market opportunities.
Kiyoko Foods Ltd, founded by Victoria Ogwanighie, received ₦10 million as her Prize Money and other progressive benefits like promotion of the brand by FMN, mentorship in the form of advisory to support business growth and scale up.
Pneedles Limited by Joshua Attat was rewarded the sum of ₦6 million for his innovation in converting cassava peels into sustainable, plant-based leather. The second runner-up, Valentine Okoli of Bach and Moen Ltd, was awarded ₦4 million for developing processing hubs that produce instant Abacha and cassava-based snacks to extend the shelf life of the crop.
