NUFIC 2026 — National University Food Innovation Challenge
NUFIC 2026
National University Food Innovation Challenge & Guinness World Record Attempt
25–27 June 2026
University of Abuja, Main Campus, Airport Road, Abuja
Expected Attendance: 7,000+
Organised by SAF Africa & University of Abuja
What is NUFIC?
The National University Food Innovation Challenge (NUFIC) is SAF Africa’s flagship agricultural innovation programme. This inaugural edition is co-hosted with the University of Abuja under a formal Memorandum of Understanding, bringing together Nigeria’s brightest young minds in food science, agriculture, and technology.
NUFIC is a structured platform for showcasing, judging, and commercially launching student-developed agriculture-based food products. It represents a new paradigm in how Nigeria nurtures agri-food innovation — moving from classroom theory to real-world commercial viability in a single, high-impact event.
The Three Pillars of NUFIC 2026
Day 1: Guinness World Record Attempt
Over 7,000 participants will conduct a coordinated food-based science experiment in a bid to set a new Guinness World Record. This unprecedented gathering of students, scientists, and food enthusiasts will put Nigeria on the global map for food innovation.
Day 2: Food Innovation Exhibition & Stakeholder Forum
100+ exhibition booths showcasing student innovations, corporate solutions, and government programmes. The day features expert panels, masterclasses, and networking sessions connecting innovators with industry leaders, investors, and regulators.
Day 3: Innovation Judging, Awards & Recognition
A Shark Tank-style pitch competition where finalists present their food innovations to a panel of industry experts, investors, and academics. Over ₦8.5 million in prizes will be awarded across multiple categories.
Day-by-Day Programme
Day 1 — Thursday, 25 June 2026: Guinness World Record Attempt
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:00 AM | Registration & Accreditation Opens |
| 8:00 AM | Opening Ceremony & Welcome Addresses |
| 9:00 – 10:30 AM | Guinness World Record Experiment Execution |
| 11:00 AM | Record Verification & Announcement |
| 12:30 PM | Keynote Address |
| 1:30 – 3:00 PM | Workshops & Breakout Sessions |
Day 2 — Friday, 26 June 2026: Food Innovation Exhibition & Stakeholder Forum
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:00 – 10:00 AM | VIP Preview & Guided Exhibition Tour |
| 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Exhibition Open to All Attendees (100+ Booths) |
| 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Panel: From Farm to Shelf — Commercialising Student Innovations |
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Panel: Funding & Finance for Agri-Food Startups |
| 2:00 – 3:00 PM | Panel: Scaling Local Food Products for National Distribution |
| 3:00 – 4:00 PM | Panel: Export Readiness — Taking Nigerian Food Products Global |
| 4:00 – 5:00 PM | Masterclasses (Food Safety, Packaging, Branding) |
Day 3 — Saturday, 27 June 2026: Innovation Judging, Awards & Recognition
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:00 – 11:00 AM | Grand Judging — Product Evaluation by Expert Panel |
| 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM | Shark Tank-Style Pitch Competition |
| 3:30 – 5:30 PM | Awards Ceremony & Recognition |
| 7:00 – 10:00 PM | Gala Dinner & Networking |
Who Should Attend?
| Category | Description | Expected |
|---|---|---|
| University Students | Food science, agriculture, biochemistry, and related disciplines | 3,000 – 5,000 |
| Corporate Partners | Agribusiness, FMCG, banking, and financial services | 100 – 300 |
| Government Agencies | NAFDAC, SON, Ministry of Agriculture, state agencies | 50 – 100 |
| International Organisations | FAO, UNDP, GIZ, and other development partners | 20 – 50 |
| Investors | Angel investors, venture capital, impact funds | 30 – 50 |
| General Public | Food enthusiasts, media, and members of the public | 500 – 1,000 |
Award Categories & Prizes
NUFIC 2026 offers a total prize pool of over ₦8,500,000 across the following categories:
| Award | Prize | Additional Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Champion | ₦2,000,000 | Business incubation support |
| Most Commercially Viable Product | ₦1,000,000 | — |
| Young Innovator of the Year | ₦1,000,000 | 12-month mentorship programme |
| Best Cereal/Grain Innovation | ₦500,000 | — |
| Best Dairy/Beverage Innovation | ₦500,000 | — |
| Best Snack Innovation | ₦500,000 | — |
| Best Food Preservation Innovation | ₦500,000 | — |
| People’s Choice Award | ₦500,000 | — |
| Best University Delegation | ₦500,000 | — |
| TOTAL | ₦8,500,000+ | — |
Exhibition
The NUFIC 2026 exhibition will feature 100+ booths spread across 7 zones, creating a vibrant marketplace for food innovation:
- ■ Student Innovation Pavilion — Showcasing university-developed food products and prototypes
- ■ Corporate Pavilion — Leading agribusiness and FMCG companies
- ■ Government Pavilion — Regulatory bodies, ministry programmes, and support schemes
- ■ Financial Services Zone — Banks, microfinance, and funding partners
- ■ Technology Zone — AgriTech and FoodTech solutions providers
- ■ International Partners Zone — Development organisations and international stakeholders
- ■ SAF Marketplace & Food Court — Live tasting, product sampling, and sales
Partnership & Sponsorship
NUFIC 2026 offers a range of partnership and sponsorship opportunities for organisations looking to align with Nigeria’s premier food innovation event:
- Title Sponsor — Maximum brand visibility across all event touchpoints, keynote slot, premium exhibition space
- Gold Sponsor — Major branding presence, panel moderation rights, VIP hosting
- Silver Sponsor — Exhibition space, branding on select materials, delegate access
- Bronze Sponsor — Exhibition presence, logo placement, delegate passes
To discuss sponsorship opportunities, contact: partnerships@safafrica.org
How to Participate
Universities
Register your team to compete in the Food Innovation Challenge. Showcase your best products and win from a ₦8.5M+ prize pool.
Register Your Team
Corporates
Book an exhibition booth, sponsor a category, or host a masterclass. Connect directly with the next generation of food innovators.
Book a Booth
Investors
Register for the exclusive VIP preview and Shark Tank-style pitch competition. Discover high-potential food startups early.
Register as VIP
General Public
Experience the future of Nigerian food innovation. Taste new products, attend panels, and witness a Guinness World Record attempt.
Get Your Tickets
Get in Touch
For partnerships and sponsorships: partnerships@safafrica.org
General enquiries: info@safafrica.org
Phone: +234 703 572 0856
Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only. SAF Africa reserves the right to modify, update, or cancel any aspect of the NUFIC 2026 event — including dates, venue, programme, prizes, eligibility criteria, and participation requirements — at any time without prior notice. All decisions made by SAF Africa and the event organizers are final. For the latest updates, please contact partnerships@safafrica.org.