In a bold move to combat food insecurity and the skyrocketing cost of food items in Nigeria, Abiodun Mustapha, CEO of Sovereign Technology and Innovation Ltd, has launched FoodBank—a tech-driven food distribution platform—officially in Ibadan. Designed with a user-friendly mobile app, FoodBank allows individuals, especially low- and middle-income earners and busy professionals, to order essential food items and receive doorstep deliveries at regulated prices.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, Mustapha described FoodBank as “a direct response to the economic hardship many Nigerians face.” By eliminating middlemen, the platform promotes pricing transparency and reduces the burden of immediate financial pressure. Currently offering staples like rice, vegetable oil, and crayfish, the app has already attracted over 5,000 users, including civil servants in Oyo State.
Mustapha revealed that the startup has partnered with the Oyo State Ministry of Trade and Investment and introduced a “Buy Now, Pay Later” scheme for civil servants, with plans to extend it to the general public. The company sources fresh food items directly from wholesalers based on demand to reduce waste and spoilage.
The CEO, who trained in Human Resource Management at the University of Lagos and Software Engineering at NIIT, said the platform is accessible even to non-tech-savvy users, thanks to an operational support team that assists with onboarding.
Looking ahead, Mustapha confirmed plans to expand operations to Lagos, Abeokuta, Osun, and Abuja within six months. The company, also registered in Portugal, aims to become a major force in Africa’s food tech space. With features like dietary consultations and future restaurant services in development, Mustapha emphasized that FoodBank is not just a digital marketplace but a growing ecosystem for food accessibility.
