Ifeoma Okonkwo, CEO of Ifgreen Industries and Investments Ltd, has emerged overall winner of the 2025 National MSME Awards, receiving a prize package valued at ₦220 million.
Her agribusiness, which transforms cassava into gluten-free flours and food-grade starch, won both the MSME of the Year and the Award of Excellence in Agriculture. The prize includes a brand-new car, ₦10 million cash, and a retail shop.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelFrom starting with two staff to leading a 77-member team focused on women and youth, Okonkwo’s journey reflects how grassroots innovation can drive national growth. “This is more than a plaque. It is a testament to the dedication of our team and the belief that quality foods can transform lives,” she said at the award ceremony in Abuja’s State House Banquet Hall.
For Okonkwo, the award is more than recognition. “It validates years of hard work, resilience, and innovation in transforming Nigeria’s cassava value chain. Personally, it reminds me that focus, vision, and persistence truly pay off. For the Ifgreen team, it is powerful encouragement to keep striving for excellence,” she noted.
She believes Nigeria’s biggest opportunities lie in its youthful population, vast agricultural resources, and growing demand for local content. “MSMEs are uniquely positioned to bridge gaps in food security, renewable energy, technology, and job creation.
The challenges, however, are significant limited access to affordable financing, infrastructural bottlenecks, and inconsistent policy implementation. Yet, these obstacles also create space for creativity, resilience, and collaboration,” she explained.
Okonkwo said inclusiveness has always been central to Ifgreen’s model, with women and young people forming the backbone of her workforce. “Our operations are labor-intensive, so we integrated smallholder farmers into our supply chain.
They now provide a large share of our raw materials. We support them with training, mentorship, and fair practices. By equipping women and youth with skills and opportunities, we are not just building a workforce but nurturing a new generation of entrepreneurs and leaders.”
Looking ahead, she envisions Ifgreen becoming one of Africa’s leading processors of cassava into nutrient-dense, gluten-free foods and industrial derivatives. “In the next five years, we aim to be a fully carbon-negative food processing company, powered by solar energy and bio-gas from cassava waste. We will expand product lines, adopt advanced technology, and create thousands of jobs that strengthen rural economies and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s food security agenda.”
READ ALSO: How AfCFTA Can Boost Small Business Growth In Nigeria, Inspire Africa
Shettima, Adesina, Makinde Flag Off Ijaiye Agribusiness Hub in Oyo
Her passion also extends beyond cassava. “I am deeply passionate about renewable energy, circular economy solutions, and agro-innovation. We are exploring clean energy from agricultural waste to reduce rural energy poverty and cut carbon emissions. We are also developing digital platforms to connect smallholder farmers with markets and financing. For me, business should go beyond profit it must solve real problems, uplift communities, and build a sustainable future for Nigeria.”
The National MSME Awards, now in its 7th year, highlight the role of Nigeria’s 39 million small businesses, which contribute over 40 percent to GDP and nearly 80 percent of jobs. Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, said the initiative aligns with UN World MSME Day, stressing that government aims to help small firms scale globally.
Access Bank, a key partner, credited its Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton programme for supporting Ifgreen’s growth. “Through mentorship and resources, we helped scale Ifgreen from a small startup to a nationally recognized enterprise,” said Deputy Managing Director, Chizoma Okoli.
Okonkwo’s victory, celebrated as a boost for female entrepreneurship in agribusiness, underscores MSMEs’ central role in job creation, food security, and industrial growth. Her story is a reminder that Nigeria’s future lies not only in oil and big corporations but in the resilience of everyday entrepreneurs solving extraordinary problems.
Okonkwo’s win is more than a personal triumph it is proof that Nigeria’s economic future will be shaped not by oil giants, but by resilient entrepreneurs turning local resources into global solutions.
Amanze Chinonye is a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria. With a unique voice that blends tradition with modernity, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday Nigerian life, from the bustling markets of Lagos to the quiet villages of the countryside. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
