L-R: General Manager, Nigeria Content Development, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited,  Engr. Lanre Olawuyi, General Manager, Integrated Gas at First E&P, Engr. Yetunde Taiwo, Country Director Enactus Nigeria, Michael Ajayi. President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Margaret Aina Ogunsola, and Director Capacity Building, NCDMB, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele at the launch of Nigerian Engineering Olympiad (NEO) in Abuja on Thursday.

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in collaboration with Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Limited (First E&P), has unveiled the Nigerian Engineering Olympiad (NEO)—a nationwide competition created to inspire engineering students to design innovative solutions for Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.

The initiative is being championed by Enactus Nigeria, with strong institutional support from the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).

Driving Innovation at Its Source

Giving insights into the programme, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, General Manager, Corporate Communications, NCDMB, described the Olympiad as a strategic partnership aimed at nurturing innovation, entrepreneurship, and indigenous technical capacity.

Country Director of Enactus Nigeria, Michael Ajayi, noted that NEO is designed to empower final-year and postgraduate engineering students to envision a self-reliant, innovation-driven Nigeria.

“Innovation must be nurtured where it begins—in the minds of young engineers,” Ajayi said. “By connecting academic creativity with industry realities, NEO transforms knowledge into impact and ideas into enterprise.”

Supporting National Priorities and Closing the Skills Gap

Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the Director of Capacity Building, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele, said the Olympiad aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Nigeria First policy.

He highlighted Nigeria’s persistent engineering skills gap, noting that only a small fraction of graduates are industry-ready.

“This deficit fuels reliance on expatriates and accelerates brain drain,” he warned.

Ogbe explained that the Olympiad complements NCDMB’s human capacity development programmes, which have trained young Nigerians in digital technology, robotics, petroleum engineering, and other critical fields.

“Our mission is to institutionalise an annual national platform that identifies, nurtures, and supports exceptional engineering talent,” he said.

He added that the Board will continue strengthening entrepreneurial and leadership capabilities to ensure young engineers can excel in the workforce or build technology-driven enterprises.

Government Reaffirms Support for Youth Talent

Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, represented by Ms. Ebiho Agun, praised Nigerian youth as the country’s greatest asset.

She said the Olympiad provides a valuable platform for students to expand their imagination, deepen technical knowledge, and showcase their capabilities on local and global stages.

Addressing participants as “the heartbeat of Nigeria’s future,” she encouraged them to embrace the competition as a gateway to learning and career advancement.

Industry Partners Call for Retention of Local Engineers

General Manager, Integrated Gas at First E&P, Engr. Yetunde Taiwo, said the company’s participation reflects its commitment to talent development and innovation.

She expressed concern over increasing brain drain, noting that many young engineers leave the country due to limited professional opportunities.

“With sustained collaboration between government and industry, programmes like NEO can restore confidence and create sustainable pathways for young engineers,” she added.

A Major Step for Nigeria’s Technology Ecosystem

Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, represented by Engr. Amino Hamisu, described the Olympiad as a milestone in advancing engineering excellence and national technological development.

President of NSE, Engr. Margaret Aina Ogunsola, in her keynote address, called the initiative a “watershed moment” in bridging the academia–industry gap. She pledged the NSE’s commitment to providing expert mentorship to ensure students’ innovations meet global standards.

How the Olympiad Will Run

Application Timeline:

• Opened: 20 November 2025
• Closes: 11 January 2026
• Portal: www.neo.org.ng

Competition Stages:

Stage 1 – Intra-School Competitions

• Each school produces one winning team.
• Selected teams receive technical mentorship and development support.

Stage 2 – Regional Contests

• Five schools qualify from each region, producing 30 teams nationally.
• All 30 teams receive funding and mentorship to build Minimum Viable Products (MVPs).

Stage 3 – Semi-Finals

• Twelve teams (two per region) advance to an intensive mentorship and business development boot camp.

Stage 4 – National Grand Finale

• Four winners will emerge at the grand finale scheduled for 11 April 2026.

NCDMB, Nigerian Engineering Olympiad, Renaissance Africa, First E&P, Enactus Nigeria, NSE, engineering students Nigeria, innovation competition Nigeria, NEO Olympiad, engineering skills gap Nigeria, youth development Nigeria.

NCDMB, Renaissance Africa, and First E&P have launched the Nigerian Engineering Olympiad to inspire innovation among engineering students, close Nigeria’s skills gap, and develop industry-ready talent. Applications open until January 11, 2026.