First Female Winner of FMN Prize for Innovation Announced

The 5th season of the FMN Prize for Innovation (FMN PFI) concluded successfully, marking the first time in five years that a female winner emerged. Victoria Ogwanighi, founder of Kiyoko Food Ltd, won the top prize of 10 million naira for her innovative cassava product, the nutrient-rich "Sorghud Chees Ball." This product aims to improve child nutrition and reduce post-harvest loss by transforming surplus cassava into a high-quality snack.

The event featured a live broadcast on FMN TV, Goldmyn TV, and Puls TV on May 15, 2026. The prize money for the top three finalists totaled 20 million naira, with Joshua Attat of Pneedl Limit receiving 6 million naira for converting cassava peel into sustainable plant-based leather, and Valentin Okoli of Bach Moen Ltd awarded 4 million naira for developing a cassava processing hub.

The event emphasized the importance of innovation in the cassava value chain and provided financial support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.