In a time when Nigeria’s economy is hungry for transformation, Michael Udofia, the Chief Executive Officer of Fens Group, stands out as a man who turned humble beginnings into a powerful blueprint for agricultural and industrial growth.
This week, Udofia’s trailblazing journey received international acclaim as he was honoured with the 2025 Agribusiness Development and Enterprise Award (ADEA) by the Nigeria Agribusiness & Agro-Industry Development Initiative (NAADI), under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
The recognition, presented at the 4th Agribusiness Roundtable International Conference (Uyo 2025) in Akwa Ibom State, celebrated his exceptional role in reshaping Nigeria’s agribusiness ecosystem through innovation, leadership, and resilience.
Redefining Agribusiness Leadership
Presenting the award, Howard Usen, NAADI’s Zonal Coordinator, described Udofia as a “visionary disruptor” who has consistently proven that agribusiness is more than farming — it is a catalyst for social inclusion, job creation, and sustainable prosperity.
“The Agribusiness Development and Enterprise Award honours individuals and organisations driving real transformation in agriculture and rural enterprise,” Usen explained.
“Mr. Udofia’s leadership model has not only advanced the sector in Akwa Ibom but has inspired a new generation of entrepreneurs across West Africa. His work exemplifies innovation, integrity, and impact.”
According to Usen, Udofia was selected for his outstanding record in industrial expansion, community empowerment, and enterprise sustainability — qualities that mark him as one of Nigeria’s foremost agribusiness leaders.
From ₦3,500 to a Conglomerate
In his acceptance remarks, Udofia’s voice carried the calm confidence of a man shaped by perseverance and vision. He recounted how, after graduating in 1992, he began his entrepreneurial journey in 1993 with only ₦3,500 — a sum that would eventually evolve into the foundation of a thriving conglomerate.
“Every great story starts small,” he said. “What matters is not what you have, but the courage to start. I began with almost nothing — and today, by God’s grace, we’ve grown into a group with interests in petroleum marketing, construction, and now, large-scale farming.”
He used the moment to challenge Nigerian youths to see agriculture as a goldmine waiting to be tapped.
“If you can plant just twenty palm seedlings, in a few years you’ll have food security, income, and independence,” he advised. “Agribusiness is not a last resort — it’s the foundation of wealth creation.”
A Model of Rural Industrialisation
Fens Group, under Udofia’s leadership, currently operates one of the largest palm plantations in Ibiono Ibom, Akwa Ibom State — a project he describes as his “living testimony” to agriculture’s power to create sustainable wealth and community stability.
The company’s integrated model combines farming, processing, and value-chain development — turning local produce into market-ready commodities while empowering farmers through training, employment, and access to markets.
This approach, according to industry experts at the conference, represents the kind of homegrown industrialisation Nigeria needs to achieve food security and economic diversification.
Uyo 2025: A Convergence of Minds
The Agribusiness Roundtable International Conference brought together over 500 stakeholders from across Africa and beyond, including policymakers, investors, development partners, and members of the diplomatic corps.
The event, declared open by Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, centred on the theme “Resilient Agribusiness: A Sustainable Solution for a Changing World.”
It featured keynote sessions from cabinet ministers, legislators, and global experts focused on repositioning Africa’s agribusiness for climate resilience and inclusive growth.
Planting Seeds for the Next Generation
As the applause echoed through the Watbridge Hotel ballroom in Uyo, Udofia’s story resonated deeply — not just as an entrepreneurial triumph, but as a roadmap for young Nigerians seeking purpose in enterprise.
He represents a generation proving that Nigeria’s future wealth may no longer come from beneath the ground, but from the fertile soil of innovation, discipline, and determination.
In his words:
“The seed you plant today — whether on the farm or in business — is the foundation of your tomorrow. Start where you are, with what you have, and let vision do the rest.”
