Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN) Prize for Innovation Competition 2026 for Nigerian SMEs & Students

Applications are now open for the 2026 Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN) Prize for Innovation Competition (PFI 5.0).

Launched by Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, a leading food and agro-allied company in Africa, the FMN Prize for Innovation aims to promote groundbreaking ideas in food production, engineering, and agro-processing that can strengthen Nigeria’s food systems.

Each year, the competition spotlights a key segment of the food value chain critical to Nigeria’s long-term agricultural transformation. The 2026 edition focuses on:

Innovative Practices in Cassava Production and Processing

The competition features two distinct categories: one for Nigerian SMEs and another for students.

Category 1: SME Competition

Open To:

• Registered Nigerian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
• Businesses operating within the food and agro-allied sector
• Enterprises developing innovative solutions in cassava production, processing, or value addition

Prizes:

• First Prize: ₦5,000,000
• Second Prize: ₦3,000,000
• Third Prize: ₦2,000,000

This category rewards scalable innovations that can strengthen cassava value chains and improve productivity across Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Category 2: Student Competition

Open To:

• Nigerian undergraduate and postgraduate students
• Students enrolled in recognised tertiary institutions
• Individuals proposing innovative ideas to transform cassava production and processing

Prizes:

• First Prize: ₦300,000
• Second Prize: ₦200,000
• Third Prize: ₦100,000

This category encourages bold, research-driven, and technology-focused solutions from the next generation of innovators.

Focus Area: Innovative Practices in Cassava

Submissions should demonstrate innovation in one or more of the following areas:

• Improved productivity or yield optimisation
• Efficient processing technologies
• Reduction of post-harvest losses
• Sustainable and climate-smart practices
• Market expansion and value-chain enhancement
• Technological integration (automation, digitisation, biotechnology, etc.)

Solutions should show practical impact and the potential to contribute to a more resilient and sustainable food system in Nigeria.

Why Apply?

The FMN Prize for Innovation offers:

• Significant financial support
• National recognition
• Industry visibility
• Opportunity to contribute to Nigeria’s food security and agricultural transformation

Application Deadline

March 16, 2026

How to Apply

Interested SMEs and students should submit their applications before the deadline through the official competition portal.

For full application details and guidelines, visit the official webpage of the Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN) Prize for Innovation Competition.