YOUNG KOGI-BORN INNOVATOR REPRESENTS NIGERIA IN LONDON, EMERGES RUNNER-UP AT GLOBAL BLUE FOOD INNOVATION SUMMIT

…Only African Among Global Startups, Misses Top Spot by Two Votes

A young Nigerian innovator from Kogi State, Salifu Eyiojotule Daniel, has earned international recognition after emerging as the first runner-up at the prestigious Blue Food Innovation Summit held in London, United Kingdom.

Salifu, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AquaProX Africa, represented Nigeria as the only Nigerian and the sole African selected among seven innovative startups invited to present their solutions before a distinguished audience of investors, aquaculture experts, researchers, policymakers and industry leaders from across the world.

Competing against seasoned entrepreneurs and innovators from different countries, Salifu’s flagship innovation, AquaProX AI, secured second place in the audience voting category, narrowly missing the top position by just two votes.

AquaProX AI is a cutting-edge technology platform developed to transform Africa’s aquaculture sector by shifting fish farming from a reactive model to a predictive and data-driven system. The platform provides farmers with real-time insights and analytics to support informed decision-making, enhance productivity, reduce losses and promote sustainable fish production.

Speaking after the event, Salifu described the achievement as a significant milestone not only for himself but also for Nigerian youth, African innovation and the future of the continent’s blue economy.

“This achievement is bigger than me. Standing on that stage as the only Nigerian and only African among global innovators reinforced my belief that Africa has world-class talent, innovative solutions and ideas deserving of global recognition.

The experience has strengthened my commitment to developing technologies and creating opportunities that will transform aquaculture across the continent,” he said.

The Blue Food Innovation Summit is regarded as one of the world’s foremost gatherings dedicated to sustainable aquaculture, blue food systems, investment, technology and innovation.

The annual summit attracts leading investors, multinational corporations, researchers, entrepreneurs and policymakers committed to shaping the future of food production from aquatic resources.

Beyond the competition, Salifu spent the week engaging with some of the world’s leading aquaculture institutions and industry experts across the United Kingdom.

His engagements included visits to advanced trout farms, salmon hatcheries, lobster conservation projects, and the renowned Institute of Aquaculture at the University of Stirling in Scotland.

He also participated in strategic discussions with global seafood industry leaders on innovation, sustainability and opportunities for international collaboration.

Through AquaProX Africa, Salifu has continued to champion youth empowerment, aquaculture development, technology adoption and the creation of sustainable blue economy opportunities across African communities.

Observers say his achievement highlights the growing impact of young Nigerians in developing innovative solutions to food security challenges, economic diversification and sustainable development while projecting the country’s image positively on the global stage.

A native of Kogi State, Salifu Eyiojotule Daniel is the Founder and CEO of AquaProX Africa, an organisation dedicated to advancing aquaculture development, empowering young people and promoting technology-driven solutions for Africa’s emerging blue economy.

His remarkable performance in London is being celebrated as a testament to the ingenuity, resilience and global competitiveness of Nigerian youths in the rapidly evolving world of innovation and technology.