Dangote Cement Undergraduate Research Competition 2026 for Nigerian Engineering Students | ₦1.5 Million in Prizes

Applications are now open for the 2026 Dangote Cement Industry-Based Engineering Research Competition, an initiative designed to encourage Nigerian engineering undergraduates to develop innovative solutions to real-world industrial challenges.

Organized in partnership with the Academic & Research Board of the University of Lagos Engineering Society (ULES), the competition gives students the opportunity to showcase their research skills, gain industry exposure, and compete for cash prizes totaling ₦1.5 million.

Competition Summary

Host: Dangote Cement Plc
Category: Competition
Eligible Country: Nigeria
Reward: ₦1.5 Million in Cash Prizes | Certification | Mentorship | Networking Opportunities
Application Deadline: July 16, 2026

About the Competition

The Dangote Cement Undergraduate Research Competition aims to connect academic learning with practical industry needs by encouraging engineering students to solve challenges related to cement production, sustainability, and operational efficiency.

Participants will work in teams to develop innovative research-based solutions while gaining valuable experience in technical problem-solving and business communication.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, applicants must:

• Be currently enrolled as engineering students in a Nigerian university.
• Apply in teams of two to four students from the same institution.
• Submit original research work.
• Select one of the available competition challenge tracks.
• No previous experience in the cement industry is required.

Benefits

Successful participants will enjoy several rewards, including:

• First Prize: ₦700,000 and certificate
• Second Prize: ₦500,000 and certificate
• Third Prize: ₦300,000 and certificate
• Networking opportunities with industry experts
• Professional mentorship
• Exposure to real industrial challenges and innovative engineering practices

Competition Challenge Areas

Teams are expected to choose one of the following research areas:

• Alternative Fuel Sourcing and Pricing Optimization
• Predictive Maintenance and Reliability Systems
• Cement Production Conversion Improvement
• Digital KPI Automation and Data Quality

How to Apply

Interested applicants should complete the online application before the deadline.

Each team will be required to submit:

• A 10-slide executive presentation
• A technical appendix or prototype (where applicable)
• A one-page business case
• An implementation roadmap
• A risk and safety assessment
• A statement outlining assumptions and data limitations

Application Deadline: July 16, 2026

Applicants are encouraged to review all submission requirements carefully and prepare their research materials before applying.

APPLY HERE