In a continued effort to spotlight the courage and resilience of Nigerian children, Dufil Prima Foods, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles, has officially launched the 17th edition of its Indomie Heroes Award.
The award, a long-running corporate social responsibility initiative that honours children who have demonstrated extraordinary acts of heroism despite challenging circumstances.
Speaking yesterday, at a press conference in Ikeja, Lagos, Group Corporate Communications and Events Manager at Dufil Prima Foods, Temitope Asiwaju, described the award as a platform that celebrates children under the age of 15 who have made exceptional sacrifices, often at great personal risk.
As we begin this journey to the 17th edition, I am filled with excitement,” Asiwaju remarked.
“For those who have followed us over the years, you’d see how we’ve grown, improved, and continued to reach farther in our mission to spotlight these young heroes.”
Launched in 2008, the Indomie Heroes Award, Asiwaju noted, is Nigeria’s longest-running programme dedicated to recognising children in three distinct categories of bravery: Physical Bravery, Social Bravery, and Intellectual Bravery. He said over the years, stories of children saving lives from fires, standing up against social injustice, or excelling academically despite disabilities and poverty have captured the nation’s heart.
According to Asiwaju who also holds the position of Head of Marketing for the company, “Past winners include Khalil Bala, who at just 13, ran into a burning house to save his younger sister, suffering severe burns in the process. Another is Razak Omolade, a physically challenged cobbler who used his award grant to grow his shoemaking business and now supports a family. There’s also the inspiring case of a girl from Kebbi State, born without arms, who learned to perform daily tasks using her feet and is now thriving in school.
He explained these were more than just stories, stating; “They are powerful testaments to the resilience of the Nigerian spirit and beyond awarding cash prizes, Indomie also provides educational or vocational support while tracking the recipients’ progress over time.”
He announced the 2025 call for entries has already begun, ahead of an award ceremony slated for the second week of October, to coincide with Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations. He said children under 15 are eligible to be nominated, but entries must be authentic and verifiable, preferably already documented in the media or endorsed by a credible institution.
To enhance the reach and authenticity of the awards, Asiwaju noted the company is actively seeking partnerships with journalists and media houses.
“Children don’t perform heroic acts for fame or reward. Their instinct is to act out of love, justice, or compassion. That’s what makes these stories so powerful, and it’s why we rely on journalists to help uncover them,” he said.
A notable feature of the press event was the spotlight on the Indomie Fan Club, a child-focused initiative that connects with over 100,000 children annually across Nigeria. According to the club’s National Coordinator, Karishma Rustagi, the platform not only shares stories of heroism in a careful, age-appropriate manner but also fosters artistic and sporting development in a nurturing environment.
“We make sure the stories we share through booklets and school materials inspire rather than frighten.
“Every year, over a span of ten days, we engage thousands of kids in activities that combine learning with fun,” Rustagi said.
Rustagi also hinted at a major initiative in the works for this year, urging the media to stay engaged for future announcements.
Meanwhile, the organiser established that the company Indomie has begun efforts to decentralise the awards by taking celebrations to the communities of the winners, rather than holding all festivities in Lagos.
“Many of our heroes come from rural areas. When they are flown to Lagos for the award ceremony, it’s a massive culture shock for their communities. By celebrating them locally, we not only honour them in front of their peers but also motivate other children who see what’s possible,” Asiwaju stated.
On ensuring that prize funds and grants are used effectively, the organisers said they work closely with families to identify immediate needs while keeping the long-term goal of education or skill acquisition in focus
“We understand that in many cases, families are struggling to meet basic needs. So we tailor our support to be practical and impactful,” Asiwaju said.
, and promised to stock up my Indomie café.”
