From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
Three innovative Nigerian agritech startups have emerged as winners of the $40,000 prize at the grand finale of the AYuTe Africa Challenge Nigeria 2025.
The event, organised by Heifer International Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday, celebrated youth-led solutions aimed at transforming the country’s agricultural sector.
The challenge, which received over 1,000 applications nationwide, was narrowed down to 50 semi-finalists and later to five finalists. From these, the three best-performing startups were selected based on their innovative approaches and potential to scale impact across Nigeria’s agriculture value chain.
Seyi Alabi of Crop2Cash clinched the top prize, while Aisha Rilwanu Sidi of Grabb 247 emerged first runner-up, and Deborah Oigocho of Erido Agro took the position of second runner-up.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, praised the initiative, describing it as a hopeful and visionary effort to revolutionize agriculture through youth participation, private sector collaboration, and international partnerships.
He said: “What we have seen today at AYuTe 2025 gives me a lot of hope. These young minds are not chasing white- or blue-collar jobs, but are harnessing technology and innovation to develop solutions for agriculture and livestock. Nigeria’s future lies in these billion minds gathered here today.”
The minister emphasised the importance of empowering young people to implement agricultural systems, noting that their involvement is central to the government’s growth strategy for the sector.
Dr. Lekan Tobe, Country Director of Heifer International Nigeria, described the 2025 edition of the challenge as a resounding success, noting that the quality of submissions continues to improve each year.
“Getting into the top ten means that your idea is very promising and can be commercialized.Even those who did not make it to the final three will receive support to refine and grow their solutions. Our goal is not just to award prize money but to build a movement of young agripreneurs transforming agriculture in Nigeria,” Tobe stated.
The country director revealed that some past participants have already launched thriving agribusinesses, employing others and impacting rural communities.
The event featured live pitch sessions from the top five finalists, networking opportunities with stakeholders and investors as well as other side attractions.