The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has launched the 2025/2026 Nigerian Content Research, Innovation, and Technology Challenge, calling for proposals aimed at solving key technological gaps in the oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors.
In a statement by the General Manager of Corporate Communications, Obinna Ezeobi, the board said the competition, which commenced in December 2025, is open to individuals, research institutions, academia, industry suppliers, and members of the public with innovative research ideas.
According to the NCDMB, selected participants will be admitted into its Technology Innovation and Incubation Centre in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where they will receive mentorship and support to develop their ideas into commercial solutions.
The board said proposals must align with approved thematic areas and priority industry challenges, including geological and geophysical studies, local materials substitution, technology development, health, safety and environmental studies, engineering, and renewable energy.
It explained that innovations under geological and geophysical studies should focus on exploration solutions, big data, and real-time logging data processing, while local material substitution proposals are expected to address sustainable materials for environmental remediation, cryogenic technology for liquefied natural gas and refinery applications, as well as ultra-high temperature pressure cementing.
For technology development, the board said it is seeking innovations in demulsification technology, the application of the Internet of Things to exploration and production, and condensate refining. Health, safety, and environment-focused proposals are expected to address carbon capture, utilisation and storage, produced water management, depollution systems, and hydrogen production techniques to enhance carbon dioxide capture.
Engineering-related submissions are expected to focus on enhanced oil recovery, refinery unit efficiency, laboratory analytical equipment, drilling technology, and instrumentation and control systems, while renewable energy proposals should cover solar and wind technologies as well as energy storage systems, including batteries, hydrogen storage, thermal storage, and molten salts, according to the statement.
The NCDMB said proposals must not exceed 1,500 words and should be submitted within one month of publication. Submissions are required to include details such as the company or institution’s name, thematic area, title, description of the innovation, objectives, team structure, funding model, marketing plan, and risk analysis.
At the first stage of the competition, the board said 30 proposals will be shortlisted and assigned mentors to support the development of demos and presentations. This, it added, will be narrowed to 10 at the second stage and finally to five on the final day of the competition.
“The innovators will present their business pitches and demos to corporate venture capitalists to invest, drive innovation and expand market reach, while helping emerging businesses grow,” the board stated.
The NCDMB added that the top five winners will receive cash prizes, mentorship, and media exposure, while the top 10 participants will be onboarded into the Technology Innovation and Incubation Centre at the Nigerian Content Tower for further development and commercialisation of their innovations.
“Prizes will be awarded to the top five winners of the competition in the form of cash, mentorship opportunities, and media coverage, while the top 10 participants will be onboarded into the TIIC at the Nigerian Content Tower for guidance and further development of their innovation to commercialisation,” the statement added.
