A Made-in-Jos product, Naruda Herbal Tea, has emerged among 173 Nigerian products set to feature at the grand finale of the 2026 International NextGen Innovation Challenge in London, United Kingdom.
By Luca Atukpa-Elayo
Naruda Herbal Tea, produced by Naruda Integrated Ltd., is an emerging health and wellness brand based in Jos, Plateau State. The company specialises in producing, processing and packaging natural teas and beverages through a farm-to-cup model that prioritises products made from 100 per cent locally sourced natural ingredients.
The NextGen Innovation Challenge is organised by UKALD in partnership with the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), an agency under the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, responsible for promoting technology incubation, innovation, entrepreneurship and enterprise development in Nigeria.
Launched in 2025 at Hilton London Bankside, the initiative brings together international investors and technology stakeholders to identify and promote innovative businesses.
The 2026 edition commenced in February with 2,900 entries. Following a rigorous screening process, 296 innovators qualified for the National Showcase held on August 6 at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, where Naruda Herbal Tea emerged as one of the outstanding innovators.
The brand offers five varieties of tea: Zobo Tea, Mint Tea, Moringa Tea, Green Monkey Tea and 3-in-1 Tea, catering to different consumer preferences for natural beverages.
Naruda Integrated Ltd. is managed by three young entrepreneurs from Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The company’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Rupert Naantuam Adidi, is a Chinese-trained aviation engineer and manager. His sister, Mrs. Ruby Petkwap Sallah, serves as Co-founder and Managing Director. She holds a BSc in Mathematics from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from the University of Jos.
Her husband, Mr. Brendan Keriaknian Sallah, is the company’s Marketing Director and immediate past Speaker of the Plateau Youth Council (PYC). He holds a Diploma in Business Education from Plateau State Polytechnic and a Bachelor of Education in Administration and Planning from the University of Jos.
The grand finale is scheduled for Friday, October 9, 2026, at the Platinum Suite, ExCeL London, with approximately 3,000 international delegates expected to attend.
Participation in the event is expected to provide Naruda Herbal Tea with international visibility, potential investment opportunities, strategic partnerships and access to global markets. The company will also have the opportunity to compete for the grand cash prize of £1.5 million.
Naruda’s participation marks a significant opportunity for a homegrown Plateau State enterprise to showcase its innovation and locally sourced products on an international platform, while highlighting the potential of Nigerian entrepreneurs to build businesses with global reach.