To address the widening technical skills gap among engineering graduates, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) have unveiled the Nigerian Engineering Olympiad (NEO)—a nationwide innovation and talent-development programme designed to produce industry-ready engineers and strengthen Nigeria's technology-driven SME ecosystem.
Launched in Abuja, the Olympiad aims to inspire innovation, enhance practical learning, and equip young engineers with the hands-on competencies required by today's energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, and technology industries.
Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said the initiative became necessary after a 2023 survey showed that only 5% of engineering graduates are industry-ready, while over 70% lack essential technical skills, especially in emerging and high-tech fields. This gap, he noted, fuels dependence on expatriates and contributes to the brain drain among young Nigerian engineers.
Ogbe said the Olympiad is part of the Board's human capacity development strategy, designed to identify exceptional talent and connect them with industry mentorship, prototype development support, and commercialisation pathways. He stressed that stronger collaboration between academia, industry, government, and technology institutions is critical for turning classroom research into real engineering solutions.
The Olympiad—structured as a 10-month innovation program—will move from regional competitions to mentorship phases, prototype bootcamps, and a grand finale in April 2026. Winners will receive seed funding, technical guidance, and business support to turn their prototypes into market-ready products, encouraging entrepreneurship and technology-focused SMEs.
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NSE President, Engr. Margaret Oguntala, said the initiative solves a major national challenge: inventions created in Nigerian universities often never move beyond the campus. The Olympiad will give students a clear pathway for prototype refinement, validation, IP protection, and eventual commercialisation.
She called on the media to provide wide coverage to inspire young innovators and urged government support for programmes that build local engineering capacity. The NSE will deploy experienced engineers to mentor participants throughout the competition.
The programme is backed by First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company, Renaissance African Energy Company, Enactus Nigeria, and other partners, all working toward positioning Nigeria as a hub for indigenous engineering solutions.
The NEO, stakeholders say, is a strategic step toward boosting Nigeria's engineering workforce, supporting technology-driven SMEs, and driving national industrial development through innovation and entrepreneurship.
