The 11th anniversary edition of the Deji Alli ARM Young Talent Award (DAAYTA) concluded with a distinguished celebration of Nigeria’s entrepreneurial prowess. Favour Okikijesu Adeleke, founder of Qiqi Farms Global Ltd, was officially awarded the title of winner for DAAYTA 2026 during a virtual ceremony held on April 17, 2026. This prestigious edition successfully convened a dynamic cohort of young entrepreneurs dedicated to addressing Nigeria’s critical challenges across agritech/agribusiness, technology, energy, and green transportation sector.
Qiqi Farms Global Ltd impressively stood out during the selection process by emphasising sustainability. QiQi Farms is a technology-driven agritech and food distribution company transforming Africa’s food systems by connecting over 2,000 smallholder farmers to premium local and international markets. Over the past three years, the company has supplied 396 metric tons of fresh produce to more than 50 hospitality businesses across Nigeria, Europe, and North America, leveraging cold chain infrastructure to ensure traceability, reduce post-harvest losses by up to 50%, and guarantee farmer payments within 24–48 hours, while driving sustainable rural economic growth through globally aligned best practices.
The finalists of DAAYTA 2026 represent the immense potential of Nigeria’s youth-led innovation in diverse sectors:
- Hadi Finance – Unlocking inventory financing for small and medium-sized retailers.
- Midddleman – Enabling secure cross-border trade with trusted procurement, payments, and logistics from China.
- TFS Cargo Bicycles – Building affordable electric cargo mobility solutions for underserved communities.
- Asoro Automotive – Driving smarter mobility with AI-powered vehicle diagnostics and fleet management.
- Venth Ventures Limited – Pioneering sustainable food products and biodegradable alternatives to single-use plastics.
- Genesis360 – Simplifying food financing for individuals and businesses across Africa.
In celebrating the 11th anniversary of DAAYTA, Wale Odutola, CEO of ARM, extended his congratulations to Favour Okikijesu Adeleke and all of the finalists for their remarkable solutions, which held the promise of making a lasting impact. He reaffirmed ARM’s commitment to fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs, whose innovations are poised to shape the future landscape of Nigeria.
The DAAYTA program transcends the notion of a mere award; it epitomizes ARM’s vision to cultivate a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. This year’s event, a significant milestone in the program’s evolution, further highlights the vital role of collaboration and innovation in driving transformative change. As the program continues to evolve, it serves as a powerful catalyst for showcasing the potential of Nigeria’s emerging leaders and the vast opportunities that await in the future.
About ARM
Founded in 1994, Asset & Resource Management Holding Company Limited (ARM) is one of Nigeria’s leading non-bank financial institutions. With a legacy of innovation and trust, ARM offers a broad range of asset management and investment solutions for individuals, corporates, and institutions.