The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has announced Come Again Foods as the overall winner of the fourth edition of the NSIA Prize for Innovation (NPI 4.0).
The startup emerged winner at the NPI 4.0 Demo Day, themed “Building for Impact”, and received a combined prize valued at $100,000.
A statement issued by the NSIA in Abuja on Sunday said 12 finalists, selected from 6,000 applications, pitched their solutions to an expert panel drawn from Nigeria’s business, investment and innovation ecosystems.
Come Again Foods manufactures packaged snacks using locally sourced agricultural commodities.
Protein Kapital, which produces protein and biofertilisers through insect farming and the processing of organic waste, emerged second and received a combined prize valued at $70,000.
Instant Rad Inc., an artificial intelligence-powered teleradiology platform connecting hospitals and diagnostic centres with radiologists across Africa, placed third and received $50,000.
The fourth edition focused on startups operating in manufacturing, climate and food security, and healthcare, which the NSIA said were selected for their potential to contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth, resilience and sustainable development.
The authority said the competition offered a combined prize value of $275,000, comprising $220,000 from the NSIA, $45,000 from Cascador and $10,000 from Wema Bank.
As part of the additional awards, Eight Medical and Uwana Energy received $15,000 each in Cascador cash prizes, while Sambal Enterprises, Come Again Foods and Ebees Green received $5,000 each under the Cascador Impact prizes.
Similarly, Eight Medical, Smartel Agri Tech and Tryctor received $4,000 each in Wema Bank prizes.
Beyond the prize money, eligible winners will have the opportunity to access up to $1.5 million in growth capital through Pula Xcelerator to support business expansion and operational growth.
The winners will also participate in a fully funded entrepreneurial development programme at the Enterprise Development Centre in Lagos.
According to the NSIA, the programme will cover business strategy, leadership, governance, financial management, market expansion and investor readiness.
Speaking at the Demo Day, NSIA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, said the quality of solutions presented by the finalists demonstrated the depth of innovation and entrepreneurial talent in Nigeria.
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He said the initiative was designed not only to recognise promising ideas but also to provide entrepreneurs with access to capital, expertise, networks and partnerships needed to build sustainable and scalable businesses.
Umar-Sadiq congratulated the winners and finalists, expressing optimism that the participating businesses would expand, create jobs and contribute to Nigeria’s economic and social development.
The NSIA said the NPI has, since its inception, supported entrepreneurship, innovation and ecosystem development across Nigeria.
It added that its first three editions attracted more than 20,000 applications from startups across the country’s six geopolitical zones, covering sectors including fintech, agriculture, healthcare, education, transportation and logistics.
The NPI 4.0 programme comprises five stages: pre-selection, accelerator, Mini Demo Day, Demo Day and post-Demo Day support.
Through funding, technical assistance, entrepreneurial training, mentorship and strategic partnerships, the initiative seeks to help promising Nigerian businesses strengthen their operations, improve investment readiness and scale their solutions.
