The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs Margaret Oguntala, has emphasised the importance of collaboration in engineering education and innovation to bridge the gap between academia and industry.
Oguntala made this known in a statement issued to journalists on Sunday in Lagos.
She said the society had partnered with key stakeholders to launch the Nigerian Engineering Olympiad, officially scheduled for Nov. 20 in Abuja.
She listed the partners to include the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd., First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company (First E&P), and Enactus Projects Ltd./Gte.
Oguntala said the official launch aims to inspire and showcase innovative engineering talent among Nigerian students while promoting creativity, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.
She added that the 10-month competition would allow students across Nigeria to apply engineering principles to real-world challenges, producing scalable and impactful solutions.
The NSE president said the Olympiad would feature several stages, including regional and national contests, mentorship programmes, prototype development, and a grand finale in April 2026.
She said winning teams would receive seed grants and technical guidance to transform their innovations into viable business ventures.
Oguntala, who is expected to deliver a keynote address at the launch, said the initiative would redefine the future of engineering innovation in Nigeria.
She said: “This partnership marks a pivotal moment for engineering education and innovation in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Engineering Olympiad (NEO) is not only a platform to showcase the ingenuity of our students but also a bold step toward bridging the gap between academia and industry.
“Through this initiative, we hope to nurture creativity, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship among young engineers, positioning them as key contributors to sustainable national development.”
According to her, NEO represents a major milestone in advancing STEM education and strengthening collaboration among industry, academia, and government.
She added that with the commitment of partners, the Olympiad would play a transformative role in shaping Nigeria’s future engineering landscape, driving innovation, and fostering youth participation in nation-building.
