Fens Group CEO, Michael Udofia, Honoured with Prestigious Award for Transforming Nigeria’s Agribusiness Landscape
The Chief Executive Officer of Fens Group, Mr. Michael Udofia, has been conferred with the 2025 Agribusiness Development and Enterprise Award (ADEA) by the Nigeria Agribusiness and Agro-Industry Development Initiative (NAADI) for his outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s agricultural and industrial development.
The Nigeria Agribusiness and Agro-Industry Development Initiative (NAADI) is under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
The award which was presented 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”, recognized Udofia’s innovative approach to agribusiness and his commitment to creating sustainable solutions for food security and social inclusion.
Offering insight into the rationale behind the choice of Udofia, the Zonal Coordinator of NAADI, Mr. Howard Usen, said the ADEA was established to honour exemplary individuals and organizations that drive innovation and sustainability in agriculture, rural development, and industry.
According to him, “the Agribusiness Development and Enterprise Award recognizes vanguards in the agro sub-sector who have pioneered solutions that enhance livelihoods, create jobs, and promote food security and social inclusion.
He said Mr. Udofia is an innovative entrepreneur and visionary leader whose business model has transformed agribusiness and enterprise development in Akwa Ibom, 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.
The Zonal Coordinator said the Distinguished Advisory Committee of the Agribusiness Development and Enterprise Award found Mr. Udofia deserving of the honor 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, the Chief Executive Officer of Fens Group, Mr. Michael Udofia thanked the organisers for recognising his years of commitment to entrepreneurship particularly agricultural development.
Udofia called on Nigerian youths to embrace agribusiness and entrepreneurship with determination and patience assuring that success is usually on the doorstep of such ones.
“After my graduation in 1992, I started 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 CEO said that his 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.
Meanwhile, the conference, which drew over 500 participants from within and outside Nigeria, was declared open by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, and featured keynotes from ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, legislators, and industry leaders.
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