A key player in Nigeria’s logistics and supply chain sector, Fembol Group—unveiled the winners of its maiden Fembol Student Grant. The initiative, which drew over 500 applications from universities across the country, is designed to turn academic research and raw ideas into market-ready ventures.
By moving beyond simple financial aid, Fembol is positioning itself as a “venture-builder” for the youth, providing a structured funnel of mentorship, validation, and capital.
1. The Winners: Solving Health, Energy, and Sanitation
The three grand prize winners represent high-growth sectors where innovation is most needed in sub-Saharan Africa.
| Position | Startup Name | Founder | Core Innovation |
| Winner | Pemnia Wellness | Opeyemi Adebisi | Processing biofortified sweet potatoes into nutritious flours and meals to fight Vitamin A deficiency. |
| 1st Runner-Up | Versatile Energy | Nura Idris | Developing innovative, high-efficiency off-grid energy solutions for local businesses. |
| 2nd Runner-Up | Save Extra Ecopads | Joy Mamkwe | Producing reusable sanitary pads from banana trunks, providing an eco-friendly and affordable solution to period poverty. |
2. The Journey: From Bootcamp to ₦1.5 Million
The selection process was rigorous, ensuring that only the most resilient and scalable ideas reached the final stage:
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The Nationwide Search: 500+ applicants were narrowed down based on feasibility and impact.
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The Accelerator Phase: Shortlisted candidates attended a one-day intensive bootcamp focused on business fundamentals and pitching.
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The Final Ten: 10 finalists were awarded ₦200,000 each as “pre-seed” capital to refine their prototypes and business models ahead of the grand finale.
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The Grand Prize: The overall winner, Pemnia Wellness, received approximately ₦1.5 million to scale production.
3. Why it Matters: The “Banana Trunk” and “Bio-Flour” Revolution
The innovations showcased by these students are more than just school projects; they are viable commercial products already gaining traction:
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Joy Mamkwe (Biochemist): Her invention uses a waste product—banana trunks—to create sterilized, reusable pads. She is currently working toward NAFDAC certification to move from small-scale production to a standard factory.
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Opeyemi Adebisi (Agripreneur): A graduate of Crop Production, her brand Vita Flour is already being used in school meal programs and has received interest from international markets.
“Innovation thrives when young people are given the right support at the right time. This grant is our way of empowering students to move from concept to execution.” — Femi Bewaji, MD, Fembol Group
4. 2026 Strategy: Expanding the Pipeline
Following the success of the maiden edition, Fembol Group has announced plans to double the grant pool for the 2026/2027 cycle. The company is also exploring partnerships with tertiary institutions to integrate these student-led solutions into their own supply chain and logistics operations.
