UNIZIK Student Wins NexEdge Prize From 156 Entries for Instant Fufu Shelf-Life Research
Updated
Updated · msmeafricaonline.com · May 20
UNIZIK Student Wins NexEdge Prize From 156 Entries for Instant Fufu Shelf-Life Research
3 articles · Updated · msmeafricaonline.com · May 20
Ekweaga Maureen Ogochukwu of Nnamdi Azikiwe University won the inaugural NexEdge Research Proposal Prize for 2025/2026 with a study on improving instant fufu processing, shelf stability and sensory quality.
156 proposals entered the competition, and 15 finalists presented at a May 5 oral defense at the university’s Soil Science Hall, where judges assessed scientific rigor, commercial scalability and practical relevance.
Comfort Ire Ona placed first runner-up for research on black turtle beans processing, while Mary-Jane Chioma Okonkwo finished second for solar-dried egg powder aimed at cutting poultry post-harvest losses.
NexEdge said the scheme, run with UNIZIK’s Food Science and Technology Department, is designed to help undergraduates turn food-security research into practical commercial solutions.
Following the inaugural edition, the program plans virtual mentorship, broader partnerships across Nigerian universities and future international collaborations to scale indigenous agricultural innovations.
With multiple innovation prizes launched, can these cash incentives spark a sustainable agro-tech revolution in Nigeria?
As Nigeria pays overdue scholarships, is it reversing its policy of prioritizing domestic education over foreign study?
Can Israeli tech solve Latin America's climate crisis or does it risk overshadowing local agricultural innovation?
Transforming Food Security in Africa: NexEdge Research Scheme and Ekweaga Maureen Ogochukwu’s Award-Winning Instant Fufu Innovation
Overview
Ekweaga Maureen Ogochukwu won the inaugural NexEdge Research Proposal Prize for her innovative research on enhancing the shelf stability and sensory quality of instant fufu. Her work offers a more durable and palatable food option, holding significant promise for improving food security and convenience in African communities. By addressing key challenges in food preservation, Ogochukwu’s research contributes to broader goals of food security and resilience. The NexEdge Research Scheme, established to empower undergraduate researchers in food science and nutrition, supports such groundbreaking work and aims to cultivate the next generation of food innovators.