Fens Group CEO bags 2025 agribusiness development award

Etim Ekpimah

In recognition of his remarkable contributions to Nigeria’s agricultural and industrial transformation, the Chief Executive Officer of Fens Group, Mr Michael Udofia, has been honoured with the 2025 Agribusiness Development and Enterprise Award (ADEA).

The prestigious award, presented by the Nigeria Agribusiness & Agro-Industry Development Initiative (NAADI) under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, celebrates individuals and institutions driving excellence in agribusiness and enterprise.

The award presentation took place during the 4th Agribusiness Roundtable International Conference (Uyo2025), held at Watbridge Hotels and Suites, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, with the theme “Resilient Agribusiness: A Sustainable Solution for a Changing World.”

Highlighting the reason behind Udofia’s selection, the Zonal Coordinator of NAADI, Mr Howard Usen, said the ADEA recognises visionary leaders and trailblazers whose innovations continue to advance food security, rural prosperity, and industrial sustainability across Nigeria and beyond.

He said: “The Agribusiness Development and Enterprise Award recognises vanguards in the agro sub-sector who have pioneered solutions that enhance livelihoods, create jobs, and promote food security and social inclusion.”

He described Udofia as an innovative entrepreneur and visionary leader whose business model has transformed agribusiness and enterprise development in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, and beyond.

“You have distinguished yourself as a change agent who has significantly impacted humanity through accelerated employment generation, social enterprise growth, and economic advancement in the West African sub-region,” Usen added.

According to him, the Distinguished Advisory Committee of the Agribusiness Development and Enterprise Award deemed Udofia deserving of the honour for his exceptional track record in business transformation, leadership, and community impact.

“You are a serial entrepreneur of repute with a consistent record of success and innovation,” he noted

Responding after receiving the award, Udofia expressed profound gratitude to the organisers for recognising his lifelong commitment to enterprise growth and agricultural advancement.

He seized the moment to urge Nigerian youths to venture into agribusiness and entrepreneurship with determination, resilience, and patience, saying: “After my graduation in 1992, I started a business in 1993 with only ₦3,500.

“It was a humble beginning. Today, by the grace of God, we have grown into a conglomerate with interests in petroleum marketing, construction, and, recently, large-scale farming.

“You can start small. Even if you plant only 20 stands of palm seedlings, in three to four years, you won’t need to borrow money to pay school fees, and you will have food on your table,” he said

The Fens Group chief revealed that the company currently operates the largest palm plantation in Ibiono Ibom, Akwa Ibom State, a project he described as a demonstration of his belief in agriculture as the foundation of sustainable prosperity.

Our correspondent reports that the conference, which attracted over 500 participants from within and outside Nigeria, was declared open by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, and featured keynote presentations from federal ministers, diplomats, legislators, and leading figures in the agribusiness industry.

Also in attendance were heads of government ministries and agencies, representatives of local and international development partners, financial institutions, small and medium enterprises, and major players in the agribusiness and manufacturing sectors.