Daniel Chukwueloka Monyei, a final-year Law student at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has been awarded a $2,000 grant at the Innovate Conference 2025 for his creative and socially impactful business, Plastic 2 Paint (P2P), which converts waste plastic into eco-friendly, mosquito-repellent paint.
At the just-concluded event hosted by Crosspoint Church, five finalists pitched their business ideas in a bid to secure funding. Competing against Anesi Lifestyle, Mercysweet Foods, Soway Finance, and Suly, Monyei’s venture stood out for its originality, environmental impact, and potential for scalability.
The Innovate Pitch & Grant initiative is designed to empower young Nigerian entrepreneurs through business mentorship, access to funding, and a platform to showcase ideas that address real-world problems. Its convener and Lead Pastor at Crosspoint Church, Ladipo Soyombo, expressed why initiatives like this are vital for youth development. “Innovate is a means to foster the innovative spirit shared among Nigerian youth. We are committed to creating value for young people to benefit from. There’s youth disconnection within the economy, yet our youth have the potential, talent, and passion to drive innovation in society. Innovate was born out of our commitment to bridge the gap between Nigerian youth and economic opportunities. What we’re witnessing today is the manifestation of what happens when we create platforms that nurture innovation.” He further noted that such platforms turn job seekers into job creators.
Kola Aina, founder of Ventures Platform and keynote speaker at the event, highlighted the importance of supporting young innovators with the tools and capital they need. “What we’ve seen today represents the future of Nigeria’s economy. These young entrepreneurs are creating solutions to our most pressing challenges. All people of means, government agencies, and established corporations must recognize their social responsibility to support these dreamers with capital, mentorship, and market access. Innovation thrives where support exists, and today’s event demonstrates the incredible outcomes possible when we invest in our youth.”
For Monyei, winning the grant is more than a business achievement—it’s a step toward solving a nationwide problem. “The future of P2P is that for every liter of paint purchased, you’re actually helping save the planet, you’re saving the world, and this is what we believe. The future of P2P basically involves producing more paint and eliminating more plastic. This support from Innovate will help us scale our operations and impact more communities across Nigeria.”
P2P addresses two major challenges in Nigeria: the management of plastic waste and the affordability of quality paint. Using a community-based collection model and innovative processing techniques, the company transforms discarded plastics into functional paint products that are not only affordable but also come with health benefits. The paint includes mosquito-repellent properties that remain effective for up to six months while retaining a glossy finish for years. So far, the company has processed over 250 tonnes of plastic waste and prevented more than 190 tonnes of carbon emissions.
The success of P2P also stems from its strong focus on community involvement. The company works closely with 35 women and the Kaduna State Environmental Protection Agency to collect plastic waste, creating income opportunities while educating the public on sustainable practices. In addition, P2P has trained over 14 at-risk youth in vocational and artistic painting, equipping them with employable skills and creating new career paths.
Daniel Chukwueloka Monyei leads the team alongside Abdulfattah Omisanya, the Chief Marketing Officer; Idakwo Ramatu, Chief Operating Officer; and Abdulmalik Yahya, Chief Technology Officer. Together, they’re proving that with the right idea, the right team, and the right support, innovation can drive real change.
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