Broadcasting
Navigating the Maze: Solutions for Nigeria’s Flourishing Foodtech Industry
By Diana Tenebe, Chief Operating Officer, Foodstuff Store
Nigeria’s foodtech sector holds immense promise to transform our nation’s food production, distribution, and consumption systems.
However, this burgeoning industry currently navigates a complex maze of challenges that could significantly hinder its progress. While innovation and entrepreneurial drive are abundant, a confluence of infrastructural deficits, economic headwinds, technological disparities, and logistical complexities casts a shadow on the sector’s long-term viability.
Understanding and addressing these multifaceted hurdles is paramount for foodtech companies aspiring to thrive and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s food security.
One of the most significant impediments to the foodtech sector’s advancement is Nigeria’s persistent infrastructural weaknesses.
The unreliable power supply, a well-known constraint for businesses nationwide, directly threatens food preservation, increasing spoilage risks and driving up operational costs for companies reliant on refrigeration and consistent processing.
Similarly, the often-deteriorated state of our road networks complicates logistics and transportation, hindering the efficient movement of goods from farms to consumers and across the supply chain.
Furthermore, limited access to clean water exacerbates operational challenges, particularly for maintaining food processing and hygiene standards. Collectively, these infrastructural shortcomings inflate operational expenses and introduce vulnerabilities throughout the food supply chain.
Economic constraints add another layer of intricacy. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates create instability in pricing and procurement, especially for businesses dealing with imported technologies or ingredients. Persistent inflation erodes consumer purchasing power and increases the cost of essential inputs, squeezing profit margins for startups.
Moreover, limited access to credit and investment capital makes it difficult for emerging foodtech companies to secure the necessary funding to invest in crucial technology, infrastructure, and expansion efforts.
This financial constraint can stifle innovation and prevent promising ventures from reaching their full potential.
The digital divide also poses a unique challenge for foodtech companies aiming to leverage online platforms and digital solutions. While mobile phone usage is widespread in Nigeria, disparities in digital literacy and access to reliable internet connectivity can restrict the widespread adoption of online food ordering and delivery services, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
This necessitates creative and inclusive strategies to bridge the digital gap and reach a broader consumer base.
Inefficiencies within the supply chain represent a critical bottleneck in the Nigerian food system. Fragmented agricultural supply chains, characterised by numerous intermediaries and a lack of transparency, contribute to alarmingly high post-harvest losses.
Inadequate storage facilities and inefficient transportation infrastructure further compound these issues, leading to significant waste and price volatility.
Addressing these systemic weaknesses is crucial for ensuring a stable and affordable food supply for all Nigerians.
Navigating Nigeria’s regulatory landscape can also be a daunting task for foodtech businesses. The presence of multiple regulatory agencies, coupled with often bureaucratic and time-consuming processes for obtaining licenses and permits, can create significant hurdles for startups. Clear, consistent, and streamlined processes within the regulatory framework are essential to foster a more enabling environment for innovation and growth.
Building consumer trust and acceptance for new food technologies requires overcoming inherent skepticism and unfamiliarity. Concerns regarding food safety, quality, and the security of online transactions can hinder the adoption of novel food products and digital platforms.
Transparent communication, robust quality control measures, and consistent consumer engagement are vital for building confidence and fostering widespread acceptance.
Finally, a notable talent gap exists within the Nigerian foodtech ecosystem.
A shortage of professionals possessing specialised skills in food science, technology, business management, and logistics can limit the growth and innovation capacity of companies in this sector. Addressing this skills deficit through targeted training and development initiatives is crucial for long-term success.
Despite these significant challenges, promising pathways forward can be forged through innovative and context-specific approaches. Investing in localised infrastructure solutions, such as independent power generation and efficient localised logistics networks, can mitigate the impact of broader infrastructural deficiencies.
Exploring diverse funding avenues beyond traditional banking, including angel investors, government grants, crowdfunding, and revenue-based financing, can alleviate financial constraints.
Adapting to the digital divide by leveraging basic mobile technology and employing offline strategies like local agent networks can expand reach and inclusivity.
Building resilient supply chains through direct farmer relationships, investing in aggregation centres, and utilising technology for farm management offer tangible solutions to logistical inefficiencies.
Proactive engagement with regulatory bodies and advocating for clearer, more supportive policies are crucial for navigating the regulatory landscape effectively. Building consumer trust necessitates transparent sourcing practices, clear communication about product benefits and safety, and active engagement with consumer feedback.
Finally, investing in talent development through collaborations with educational institutions and in-house training programs can bridge the critical skills gap.
Foodstuff Store is emerging as a business with a clear vision to directly confront several of these challenges. We are actively developing a decentralised network of businesses supported by strategically located distribution hubs across target states.
This approach will directly address the limitations imposed by poor road networks, ensuring more localised access to our food products.
Furthermore, the establishment of regional storage facilities, including a state-of-the-art solar-powered cold storage, directly tackles infrastructural deficiencies related to food preservation and ensuring a consistent supply.
Foodstuff Store’s ambition for end-to-end management of the food supply chain, encompassing in-house production, direct sourcing, advanced storage solutions, and efficient distribution, offers a powerful solution to existing supply chain inefficiencies.
This integrated approach promises enhanced quality control, significant reductions in post-harvest losses, and a more reliable supply of both perishable and non-perishable goods for our customers.
Our aspiration to become the “Amazon for Food Products” is a clear and ambitious goal underpinned by a technology-driven approach to all aspects of our operational management.
Foodstuff Store’s vision underscores a business model strategically designed to overcome significant hurdles within the Nigerian foodtech sector, offering a beacon of potential and a pathway to a more secure and efficient food system in a challenging yet remarkably promising landscape.
Federal government, yesterday, said that it will now launch the so-called FreeTV, with over 100 channels for news, sports, education, entertainment and children’s programming in multiple Nigerian languages on June 17.
National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) had initially scheduled for May 15 for the launch.
But the new date was announced by Mohammed Idris, minister of Information and National Orientation, on Wednesday during a facility tour of NIGCOMSAT, alongside Dr Charles Ebuebu, director general of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and other stakeholders.
Idris said the long-awaited migration from analogue to digital broadcasting had finally become a reality after years of failed attempts and delays, describing the project as a major breakthrough for Nigeria’s broadcasting industry.
“I have been grappling with this idea of the DSO for many years. Moving our transmissions from analogue to digital has now happened and is ready to be commissioned by June 17,” the minister said.
He revealed that several channels had already been bundled onto the platform, adding that the digital transition would transform broadcasting, advertising and television consumption across Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to him, the new platform introduces scientific audience measurement tools capable of tracking viewership patterns in real time, thereby giving advertisers reliable data for targeted campaigns.
“Now science is at play. If you are viewing a station, we know who is watching what and how many people are watching. Advertisers can now take informed decisions about the kind of programming Nigerians want to watch across all demographics,” Idris stated.
The minister said the collaboration between NIGCOMSAT, NBC, the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Information had made the digital transition possible, while commending President Bola Tinubu for providing the necessary support and resources.
He described previous DSO efforts as limited and expensive due to encrypted set-top boxes but noted that the new system would be free and accessible to millions of Nigerians.
“In the past, the boxes were encrypted and costly. Now this is free. Government has taken off some of those costs on behalf of Nigerians,” he said.
Idris stressed that unlike earlier pilot phases restricted to a few cities, the new digital platform would have nationwide and regional reach through NIGCOMSAT’s satellite infrastructure.
“Everybody can now watch whatever he wants in real time and painlessly. Free TV everywhere for everybody”, he declared.
The minister also hinted that the platform would challenge the dominance of existing pay-TV operators by offering Nigerians wider viewing options at no cost.
“I don’t want to always use the word ‘substitute’, but this offers opportunities you didn’t get before. You no longer have that monopoly again. Competition is going to set in. Content will grow and viewership will grow,” he said.
He added that the platform would initially launch in standard definition, SD, before quickly transitioning to high definition, HD, bringing Nigerian broadcasting in line with global standards.
“Soon after the launch, we are moving to HD. Nigeria will now compete globally. What you watch here is what you get anywhere,” Idris said.
The minister further disclosed that the service was already available via mobile application and had successfully undergone testing ahead of the official unveiling.
Also speaking during the tour, managing director and chief executive officer of NIGCOMSAT, described the collaboration between NIGCOMSAT and NBC as a strategic partnership that has strengthened service delivery and raised operational standards within Nigeria’s digital broadcasting ecosystem.
According to her, ongoing investments and satellite expansion plans under the current administration will guarantee reliable and continuous service delivery.
“The work has only just started. The work has only just begun,” she said.
Among those who accompanied the Honourable Minister on the tour were Salihu Abdullahi Dembos, director-general, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA); Jibrin Baba Ndace, director-general, Voice of Nigeria (VON); Mohammed Bulama, director-general, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN); and Lanre Issa-Onilu, director-general, National Orientation Agency (NOA), alongside other senior government officials and dignitaries.
Metro Digital Limited, a licenced Indigenous broadcasting organisation, has accused Multichoice, pay television company, of refusing to obey judgements emanating from Courts in Nigeria.
It said the latest of such judgements is the one that was delivered by Justice Chinelo Odili of Rivers State High Court on May 4, 2026 in Suit No. PHC/3943/FHR/2025.
Dr. Paul Osuji, operations manager of Metro Digital, at a press conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State,
said the suit was filed by the organisation and two others against Multichoice and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Osuji stated that Justice Odili has in the judgement described the arrest of a staff member of the company and the carting away of it’s properties and disruption of it’s broadcasting business by the EFCC over a civil dispute of copyrighy as unlawful and violations of the applicants’ rights.
The manager recalled that in October 2025, Multichoice instigated the EFCC to read their office in Port Harcourt, arrested a staff of the company and staff of another company, while the suit was still pending.
“On October 16, 2025, the premises of Metro Digital Limited, a licenced indigenous broadcasting organisation was raided by the Nigerian anti-graft agency, EFCC, instigated by Multichoice Nigeria, purportedly acting on a preservation order made by the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt over the sub licensing of broadcasting content right.
“The preservation order came from a civil dispute already adjudicated by the Court of Appeal No. CA/CS/188/2021 – Multichoice Vs Metro Digital Limited and 20 others, which is a subject of a pending appeal -No. SC/CV/1248/2022 -Multichoice and 20 others before the Supreme Court.
“Instructively, while suit No. PHC/ 3943/ FHR/2025 was still pending, Metro Digital Limited filed an application to set aside the said preservation orders of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt and presided over by Hon. Justice A.T Mohammed.
“In his ruling delivered on December 10, 2025, set aside the preservation orders and it’s legal execution on Metro Digital Limited. The court also ordered EFCC to return unconditionally all the properties and records of Metro Digital Limited, illegally and unlawfully carted away during the raid but the agency has till today not obeyed those orders of the Court,” he said.
Metro Digital Limited is known for operating SLTV, a direct-to-home satellite television service launched to provide affordable, locally-owned alternatives to international pay TV
A Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from sanctioning or punishing broadcast stations and presenters over the expression of personal opinions, alleged bullying of guests, or failure to maintain neutrality on air.
NBC
Justice Daniel Osiagor granted the interim injunction following an ex parte application filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
The court specifically restrained the NBC, its officers, agents and affiliated persons from enforcing its recently issued “Formal Notice” or imposing sanctions, fines or penalties on broadcasters based on provisions of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
SERAP and NGE had approached the court to challenge what they described as an arbitrary and unlawful move by the commission to punish broadcasters for allegedly expressing personal opinions as facts, bullying or intimidating guests, or failing to maintain neutrality during programmes.
The groups also asked the court to determine whether the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code relied upon by NBC were inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
The suit followed an April statement by the NBC in which it raised concerns over what it described as increasing violations of the broadcasting code across news, current affairs and political programmes.
The commission had warned that presenters who expressed personal opinions as facts or bullied guests during live broadcasts would be sanctioned.
However, Justice Osiagor, in his ruling, held that pending the hearing of the substantive matter, the commission must refrain from using the formal notice to threaten, sanction or punish broadcast organisations and on-air personalities under the contested code provisions.
The matter was adjourned until June 1, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice.
Xenophobic Attacks: Anonymous Nigeria Threatens to Leak South African Stolen Data
WHO Says Ebola Outbreak Worse than Reported
Chapel Hill Denham Says Banks Lose N2.5 Trillion Annually to High CRR in New Report
Lagos Sanctions 15 Money Lending Firms for Operational Violations
FirstBank, Visa Launch Multicurrency Signature, Naira Debit Cards
MTN, VDT, Zoracom, Digital Realty Back 2026 Girls in ICT Campaign
Vitel Wireless Partners Fintechs to Expand Access to Services
Kaspersky Discovers Vulnerability in Qualcomm Snapdragon Chips that can Lead to Data Loss & Device Compromise
Bank Customers to Pay N1,500 for ATM Card Issuance, Replacement – CBN
FCCPC Licenses 5 Firms for Airtime, Data Lending as Telcos Step Aside
General News2 days agoWorld Bank Blocks Social Media Comments from Nigerians over Loan Backlash
Telecom2 days agoNITDA, FMCIDE Deepen Collaboration on Nigeria’s Digital Transformation
E-Business2 days agoJumia Nigeria Records Strong Q1 2026 Growth as Technology-Led Strategy Drives Market Expansion
Telecom2 days agoNigerians Lose N12.5bBn to Telecom-Related Financial Crimes – PwC
General News2 days agoLG Electronics Strengthens Household Energy Efficiency in Nigeria with Advanced Inverter Refrigerator Solutions
Telecom2 days agoNITDA Showcases Nigeria’s Startup Framework as Model for Angola
News2 days agoOnly 1 in 3 Families Fully Secure their Devices, Kaspersky Study Reveals
Telecom2 days agoUpperlink, ICANN, Others Rally Global Participation for UA Day 2026