Ifeoma Okonkwo, Chief Executive Officer of IFGREEN — an integrated agribusiness company leveraging technology to process cassava into premium industrial derivatives such as gluten-free flours and food-grade starch for food industries emerged as the overall winner of the grand prize valued at ₦220 million. The award, presented during the 7th edition of the National MSME Awards held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, on Friday, June 28, 2025, included a brand-new car, a retail shop, and ₦10 million in cash.
A dedicated agripreneur and alumna of the Womenpreneur Season Five edition in 2023, Ifeoma is passionate about transforming the agricultural sector, with a particular focus on the cassava value chain. Under her leadership, IFGREEN has diversified from Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) to industrial derivatives, expanding its workforce from a modest two-person team to 77 direct and indirect employees, with a strong commitment to empowering women and youth.
In his opening remarks, Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, Special Adviser on Job Creation and MSMEs to the President, emphasized the significance of the awards, stating, “The MSME Awards are held annually to commemorate the United Nations World MSMEs Day and recognize outstanding small businesses across Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu’s administration is firmly committed to supporting and uplifting MSMEs, including businesses owned by persons with disabilities, for their vital contributions to the nation’s economy.”
He further noted, “The Federal Government is deeply concerned about the challenges facing MSMEs and is implementing robust measures to alleviate these hurdles and boost productivity. Our goal is to enable MSMEs to enhance product quality and scale their operations to compete on a global level. We want beneficiaries to proudly say it was under Tinubu’s government that they acquired their shops, homes, or vehicles.”
Supporting the FG’s initiative, Chizoma Okoli, Deputy Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, remarked, “Access Bank is dedicated to driving the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises as key engines of economic development and job creation. We understand that empowering MSMEs is critical to building a resilient economy, and that is why we have partnered with the Federal government to uplift small business to the next level.”
She commended Ifeoma Okonkwo’s remarkable achievement, saying, “Access Bank is dedicated to driving the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises as key engines of economic development and job creation. We are especially proud to recognize Ifeoma as one of the standout participants in Access Bank’s Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton, a platform that identifies and nurtures promising entrepreneurs. Through our Womenprenuer Pitch-a-ton initiative, we have supported her journey by providing tailored business advice, mentorship, and resources that have enabled her to scale IFGREEN from a small startup to a nationally recognized enterprise and ultimately become the overall winner of the National MSME Awards.
“Womenprenuer Pitch-a-ton initiative is designed to equip MSMEs with the tools they need to overcome challenges and achieve sustainable growth. Ifeoma’s success at this event exemplifies the impact of targeted support and the transformative power of entrepreneurship. Our collaboration with the Federal Government through this awards platform reflects our shared commitment to empowering entrepreneurs like her to build resilient businesses that drive economic growth and job creation across Nigeria.”
Abiodun Olubitan, Group Head, SME Banking, Access Bank commended the Federal Government for this great initiative. In her words, she noted that Access Bank has been very deliberate about MSMEs and Women in particular not just as a business but because we have an understanding that our MSMEs contribute over 40% to the GDP of the country and about 80% of employment. Without them, the wheels of the economy will wobble.
The National MSME Awards is an annual event held during the week-long National MSME week to recognize and celebrate outstanding indigenous Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria. The awards aim to encourage and support MSMEs, highlighting those that have demonstrated resilience, innovation, and significant contributions to economic growth.
