Nigerian Engineering Olympiad Launched to Strengthen Global Engineering Competitiveness

By: Michael Mike

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has expressed commitment to bolstering engineering education in the country through linking academia with industry sector to bring about meaningful growth in Nigeria.

Nigeria while announcing a bold step toward strengthening its global engineering competitiveness with the launch of the maiden Nigerian Engineering Olympiad (NEO), an initiative the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), expressed willingness to transform university inventions into market-ready technologies capable of advancing national development.

Speaking during inauguration of the maiden Nigerian Engineering Olympiad (NEO), a national programme designed to identify, nurture, and commercialise engineering talent across tertiary institutions, the President of NSE, Margaret Oguntala, disclosed that the Olympiad aims at tackling pressing needs in infrastructure, manufacturing, energy transition, sustainability, and digital technology, as ultimate goal to produce a generation of job creating engineers, problem solvers, and globally competitive innovators.

The Nigerian Engineering Olympiad was organised by Enactus Nigeria in partnership with NSE, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Renaissance Africa Energy Company (RAEC), and the First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company (FIRST E&P).

Oguntala said, “As the foremost Engineering professional body, NSE believes that the addition of new ideas is critical for professional development and community impact.

“Every great invention in history began with an idea. All the transformations humanity has seen from the steam engine, to towering skyscrapers, electricity, internet, and artificial intelligence started as ideas acted upon.

“Ideas do shape the world. The power of ideas in transforming societies cannot be overemphasised; indeed, great nations have stood on the shoulders of men and women of ideas to advance growth and development.

“Nigeria is brimming with such creative minds in our universities. In our quest to turn technological development as a nation, NEO offers dynamic platform for students to unleash innovative capacity, as collective effort to create environment where ideation can truly thrive.”

Oguntala, also Chairman-in-Council of the NSE, stressed the need for stakeholders from across government agencies, academia, industry leaders and media to prioritise NEO.

According to her, the Olympiad creates a structured pipeline—regional contests, prototype bootcamps, iterative design, product validation, intellectual property support and a national finale in April 2026—designed to take ideas from concept to commercialization.

She described the Olympiad as “a national innovation incubator” that will provide mentorship, seed funding and technical guidance to the top teams.

Oguntala also highlighted NSE’s recent $17.4 million partnership with MIDAS IT of India to supply advanced engineering design software to 15 universities, a step she said would “strengthen academic excellence and prepare young engineers for global competitiveness.”

She reiterated that the Olympiad reflects Nigeria’s determination to elevate its technological capacity and compete on a global scale.

She said: “Today, we ignite a spark that will light the way for Nigeria’s engineering future. The innovations born from this Olympiad could become the solutions that drive our industries, improve our infrastructure and uplift our communities.”

In a remark, Executive-Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Omatsola Ogbe commended Olympiad for aligning with the Federal Government’s policy drive for indigenous innovation and industrial competitiveness.

Ogbe, represented by Director Capacity Building of NCDMB, Abayomi Bamidele explained ongoing capacity building programmes in petroleum engineering, robotics, digital technology, and advanced technical disciplines efforts would help to reinforce the Olympiad’s talent pipeline.

He disclosed that industry surveys showed not less than 79 per cent of engineering graduates lacked practical and hands-on competencies aligned with global standards a challenge NCDMB says must be addressed urgently.

According to him, engineering skills deficit contributed to shortage of competent local engineers, heavy reliance on expatriates, and increasing brain drain

“Nigeria has a population exceeding 237 million people, nearly half of West Africa, yet only about 5 per cent of our engineering graduates are industry ready at graduation.

“This Olympiad provides a structured pathway to identify and support young innovators who can design solutions for our national challenges,” he said.

For his part, Enactus Nigeria’s Country Director, Michael Ajayi, said that national-scale impact can only come from strong collaboration across government, private sector, and civil society.

Ajayi said: “This partnership proves that when we combine policy support, private-sector systems, and nonprofit expertise, we can deliver transformational impact not just for individuals, but for entire industries.

“Olympiad’s objectives include encouraging students to apply classroom knowledge to real-life problem-solving and enabling them to build engineering-driven businesses that generate jobs and wealth.”

He disclosed that the Olympiad was designed to run a seven-month cycle and will feature regional contests, intensive mentorship, prototype development, and a national grand finale scheduled to hold in April 2026.

First E&P’s General Manager for Integrated Gas Development, Yetunde Taiwo, said the company’s involvement stems from a commitment to innovation and talent development.

She said: “Our core values are around fostering talent, innovation and entrepreneurship. Some of the perennial challenges we see in the industry can actually be solved by these very bright young minds.”

She added that engaging students early with real industry problems could help reduce brain drain by creating clear pathways into the workforce.

Representing Renaissance Africa Energy Company, Nigerian content manager Olanrewaju Olawunyi said their support reflects a longstanding commitment to developing human capital.

“We are made in Nigeria, we’re built for Africa. We invest in people. People are our biggest resource.”

He noted that Renaissance funds STEM education from primary to tertiary levels and runs fully funded scholarships—including sending candidates from the Niger Delta overseas for postgraduate studies.

“This is not just a flash. All our programs are annual and fully funded, and we also pay students during internships.”

On behalf of the Minister of Youth Development, Technical Adviser Ebiho Agun said the Olympiad aligns fully with government priorities and the nation’s long-term workforce needs.

“It provides young minds with the opportunity to stretch their imagination, deepen technical abilities, and demonstrate excellence on a national and international stage,” he said.

He described the initiative as “a catalyst for mentorship, discovery and long-term career development,” urging participants to seize the opportunity: “You are the heartbeat of Nigeria’s future. remain steadfast in your pursuit of excellence.”

Nigerian Engineering Olympiad Launched to Strengthen Global Engineering Competitiveness

‎ADC leadership tussle: Adamawa court to deliver judgment on Nov. 27

Adamawa High Court IX, fixed Nov. 27th for ruling and judgment on suit filed by Shehu Yohanna and Zubairu Ishaq challenging their removal from office as Chairman Secretary, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Adamawa chapter.

The presiding judge, Justice Benjamin Manji, announced this at the end of the hearing on Thursday in Yola.

Earlier the plaintiff complained that their four-year tenure was illegally terminated before expiration.

Kambile who challenged: Amb.Omar Suleiman, Chairman Coalition Adamawa stakeholders; Sadiq Dasin, Chairman Transition Electoral/Congress Commitee; Malam Saidu Komsiri, State Interim Chairman and his Led Executive Committee members.

Others are: Babachir Lawan, National Vice Chairman North East; Sen. David Mark, ADC National Chairman and his Led National Executive Committee Members; National Working Committee and the ADC.

Yakubu Philemon (SAN) pleaded for the Court to allow Kambile to complete their four year tenure best on what the constitution of the party says.

Dr Emem Ibrahim-Effiong, counsel defendants argued that the matter is an internal party affair which the court should not interfere with.

After hearing both sides, Justice Manji subsequently adjourned the matter to Thursday November 27, for ruling and judgment as earlier agreed by all counsels.

ADC leadership tussle: Adamawa court to deliver judgment on Nov. 27

Vocational skills: Chief of Defence Staff trains 78 retired veterans in North-East

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Olufemi Oluyede has trained no fewer than 78 retired military veterans in North-East on vocational skills.

The veterans were drawn from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe Taraba and Yobe States.

The theme is “Empowering Veterans Through Skills Acquisition for Capacity Building and Sustainability,”

Speaking at the three-day training in Yola on Wednesday, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, the CDS represented by Director, Veterans Affairs Division, Defence Headquarters, Maj. Gen. Oluwafemi Williams said, the training is a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing the well-being of the veterans.

He said, the initiative is for the veterans across six geopolitical zones to help themselves and their families due to the economic situation in the country.

“With the caliber of facilitators selected to deliver this training, I am confident that the participants will be well prepared to take full advantage of the existence of the poverty alleviation programme under my stewardship.

“And with alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu”, he said.

He urged them to take advantage of the training and improve on their livelihood and to also network with other colleagues.

According to him, subsequently the beneficiaries would be empowered with starter parks.

Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, commend the Defence Headquarters for organising the training for the veterans across the six geopolitical zones.

Fintiri, presented by the Chief of Staff Government House also commended the veterans for their sacrifice in serving the nation, and urged them to take advantage of the training to succeed in future.

Prof. Augustine Danwe of Modibbo Adama University (MAU), Yola one of the resource persons said, the training would expose the veterans to a gold smile in Agricultural production.

According to him, with the discipline in the beneficiaries by the military when they implement the skills into practice they would succeed in their respective states.

He urged the veterans to apply the skills into practice for maximum benefit.

Sgt. Sule Gagare retired veteran and a beneficiary from Bauchi thanked and appreciated the CDS for empowering them with the skills and prayed for all the promises made to be fulfilled.

The training focuses on poultry products, snail farming, livestock management, fishery, animal husbandry, integrated irrigation farming system and Modern crops farming techniques.

Vocational skills: Chief of Defence Staff trains 78 retired veterans in North-East