Modibbo Adama University Wins ₦50m as NCDMB Rewards Engineering Innovation

By Sandra Chukwunyere  The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has reinforced its commitment to developing Nigeria’s engineering capacity by rewarding innovative solutions from young engineers and investing in the country’s next generation of technology leaders.

At the grand finale of the maiden Nigerian Engineering Olympiad held in Lagos, Team Mavericks from Modibbo Adama University, Yola, emerged overall winners with their innovation, “Sarafa Community Security Alert,” a low-cost emergency response system designed to help households quickly alert neighbours and emergency responders during security incidents.

The victory earned the team a ₦50 million cash prize, while the university’s Faculty of Engineering will benefit from the construction of a Centre of Excellence Building to be funded by the NCDMB.

The Olympiad was organised by ENACTUS Nigeria as the technical partner, with sponsorship from the NCDMB. Renaissance Africa Energy Company and First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company (First E&P) supported the initiative as funding partners.

The competition brought together students from tertiary institutions across the country to showcase engineering innovations aimed at addressing national challenges through technology, entrepreneurship and locally developed solutions.

Team Aurora from the University of Ibadan finished second with the “Aurora Birth Health Tech Suite,” an innovation developed to reduce neonatal deaths caused by birth asphyxia in low-resource healthcare facilities. The team received ₦30 million in prize money and engineering equipment valued at ₦75 million.

Third place went to Team Fortizo of the University of Jos for “FarmAnchor,” a solar-powered, artificial intelligence-driven device that enables smallholder farmers to detect crop pests, diseases and soil deficiencies. The team received ₦20 million and engineering equipment worth ₦50 million.

Team Flameless of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, came fourth with an innovation that converts flare gas from marginal oil operations into affordable electricity for nearby communities. The team received ₦10 million.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Board’s Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Omomehin Ajimijaye, described the Olympiad as more than a competition, saying it demonstrates the ability of Nigerian youths to develop practical solutions to real-life challenges through engineering and innovation.

He said the Board remains focused on building human and institutional capacity that will enable Nigerians to compete successfully not only in the oil and gas industry but across other sectors of the economy.

According to him, youth development remains a strategic priority for the Board because investing in young people is critical to Nigeria’s future growth and industrial development.

Ajimijaye also disclosed that the NCDMB is currently assessing entries for its Technology Innovation Challenge in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, while more than 500 undergraduate students have already enrolled in the Board’s Young Researchers Programme.

He explained that the initiatives are designed to produce researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs capable of developing indigenous technologies, strengthening Nigerian Content and improving the country’s competitiveness in science and engineering.

Country Director of ENACTUS Nigeria, Mr. Michael Ajayi, said planning for the Olympiad began more than two years ago, describing the competition as the foundation of a broader effort to transform engineering education in Nigeria.

He revealed that the competition attracted 375 entries involving 984 students from 80 universities, polytechnics and research institutions across the six geopolitical zones.

Following an extensive evaluation conducted by 202 judges and 177 professionals over more than 850 hours, the top 30 teams qualified for the next stage. Each received a ₦3 million prototype development grant, bringing the total support to ₦90 million before progressing through regional contests to the national final.

Ajayi added that the finalists also participated in a two-week business development boot camp designed to improve the commercial potential of their innovations.

He commended the NCDMB, Renaissance Africa Energy Company and First E&P for supporting the initiative, stressing that partnerships between government, industry and development organisations are essential to driving sustainable national development.

Representing First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Limited, General Manager, Engineering and Capital Projects, Engr. John Alani, said Nigeria’s greatest challenge is not a shortage of talented engineers but limited opportunities for them to develop their ideas.

Referring to a 2023 industry survey indicating that only five per cent of engineering graduates are industry-ready, he described the Olympiad as an important intervention that helps bridge the gap between academic training and industry needs.

Also speaking, Vice President, Relationships and Sustainable Development at Renaissance Africa Energy Company, Mr. Igo Weli, pledged to engage other sponsors on increasing the ₦3 million innovation grants awarded to participating teams.

Representing the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the immediate past President, Engr. Margaret Oguntala, praised the organisers for creating a national platform that encourages engineering innovation, entrepreneurship and practical problem-solving among young Nigerians.

Other finalists included teams from the University of Port Harcourt, University of Benin, Imo State University, University of Lagos, University of Abuja, Nigerian Army University Biu, Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Kano, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Senior officials of the NCDMB, representatives of government agencies, academia, industry and professional bodies attended the event.

The Board said the Nigerian Engineering Olympiad reflects its commitment to building a pool of highly skilled Nigerian engineers equipped with the technical knowledge, innovative mindset and entrepreneurial skills needed to drive the country’s industrial transformation.