Meet Chidera Nwafor: The Nigerian Entrepreneur Turning Maggots Into Millions
In southeastern Nigeria, 29-year-old Chidera Nwafor is transforming the way people view waste — and making millions in the process. Through innovative maggot farming, he’s converting organic waste into a high-value protein source for livestock feed, building a thriving agribusiness that’s both eco-friendly and profitable.
Chidera’s journey began a few years ago when he noticed two growing problems in his community: rising costs of poultry feed and the overwhelming amount of food waste in markets and households. While most people overlooked the opportunity hidden in the mess, Chidera saw potential.
“I wanted to solve a problem while creating a business,” he says. “That’s when I discovered maggot farming — a low-cost, eco-friendly solution that could feed animals and clean the environment.”
He started small, using discarded kitchen waste and market refuse to attract black soldier flies. Their larvae — the maggots — are packed with protein and grow rapidly. Chidera built a simple setup in his backyard with containers, nets, and proper ventilation. After a few weeks of trials and errors, his maggot colony began thriving.
Today, Chidera supplies dried and fresh maggots to poultry and fish farmers across the region. His product is in high demand due to its affordability and nutritional value. “Maggots contain over 40% protein. They help reduce feeding costs for farmers by up to 30%,” he explains.
But it hasn’t always been easy. The idea of maggot farming initially attracted criticism and mockery. “People thought I was mad. Some said, ‘Why would an educated man raise maggots?’ But now those same people come to me for advice and buy from me.”
Chidera is also passionate about youth empowerment. He trains other young Nigerians interested in agribusiness and runs workshops to teach them how to start small-scale maggot farms. “The future of agriculture is sustainable and smart. We need more young people who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty,” he says.
His goal is to expand into large-scale organic recycling and create a protein processing facility that can feed millions of animals sustainably.
Through maggot farming, Chidera Nwafor has not only built a profitable business — he’s proving that innovation in agriculture can be both impactful and inspiring.
