- 06/05/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Chigozie Bashua is the founder and CEO of The Nut Place, a Nigerian food tech company redefining how indigenous nuts can address health challenges, food insecurity, and gender inequality. With over 14 years of experience in information technology and business strategy, and a degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Chigozie has made a remarkable transition from tech to agribusiness, blending analytical expertise with a strong commitment to healthy living, local sourcing, and sustainable impact.
From engineer to food innovator
Chigozie’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2013 during a trip to the United Kingdom. While grocery shopping, she discovered a variety of healthy nut-based products and wondered why similar options weren’t available in Nigeria. This sparked her interest in nut processing. Determined to learn more, she visited a processing plant in Tottenham, UK, gaining practical knowledge that would lay the foundation for her business. Upon returning to Nigeria, she founded The Nut Place in December 2013, starting operations in July 2016 from her mother’s kitchen, laying the foundation for a mission-driven enterprise rooted in health and innovation.
Tech-Driven Social Impact
As a food tech company, The Nut Place integrates technology into its social impact initiatives. The company leverages digital tools to educate communities about healthy eating, offers discounted access to nutritious food products. These initiatives ensure that underserved communities not only have access to affordable healthy options but are also empowered with the knowledge to make better dietary choices. By leveraging digital platforms for outreach and awareness, the company combines innovation with purpose to create lasting change in local communities.
Commitment to health and sustainability
The Nut Place transforms locally sourced nuts into gluten-free, nutrient-rich flours, snacks, crisps, and lactose-free beverages providing healthy options for people with dietary restrictions like gluten intolerance or diabetes. Beyond individual wellness, the company contributes to national food security by promoting local sourcing, reducing reliance on imports, and making nutritious foods more accessible. The company’s model supports SDGs 2, 5, 8, and 12, advancing zero hunger, gender equality, decent work, and responsible consumption.
Empowering women and promoting gender equality
Under Chigozie’s leadership, The Nut Place operates as an 80% women-led company and actively empowers women across the agri-processing value chain. From sourcing ingredients to engaging female vendors and artisans, the company creates inclusive economic opportunities and fosters an ecosystem where women thrive. By repurposing by-products like tamarind seeds and coconut shells into craft materials, The Nut Place also promotes circular economy practices and supports local creatives.
Recognitions and global engagement
Chigozie’s innovative leadership has earned her global recognition. She is an alumna of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, the African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative (AWEC), the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), and the Vital Voices Grow Fellowship. In 2023, she was named a Vital Voices Global Fellow and selected as one of the Meaningful Business 100. She also participated in the Google Hustle Academy and the Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (WE4A) program. Through these platforms, Chigozie shares her insights on business continuity, leadership, and scaling impact.
“What’s worth doing is worth doing well”
Chigozie envisions The Nut Place becoming the leading producer and exporter of nut-based food products across Africa by 2030. Her focus is on expanding product lines, scaling operations, and enhancing market access, all while staying true to the company’s mission of innovation, nutrition, and social good. Her journey is a testament to how purpose-driven entrepreneurship can transform not only industries, but entire communities.
“What’s worth doing is worth doing well. Don’t settle for shortcuts, build your brand on values that matter, and the results will follow.”
Chigozie recently served as a panelist during the second session organised by COLEAD and UN Women South-South Series through the FFM+ programme, an initiative dedicated to strengthening women-led businesses through knowledge exchange, skill development, market access, and strategic networking.
Valuable resources about the session can be find here:
This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the OACPS.
