Applications are now open for the 2026 Dangote Cement Industry-Based Engineering Research Competition for eligible undergraduate engineering students in Nigeria.
The Dangote Cement Undergraduate Engineering Research Competition 2026 offers participants the opportunity to develop practical, industry-focused solutions while competing for cash prizes worth up to ₦1.5 million, professional mentorship, networking opportunities, and certifications.
Program Summary
- Host: Dangote Cement Plc
- Category: Competitions
- Eligible Country: Nigeria
- Reward: ₦1.5 Million Award & Prizes | Certification | Networking Opportunities | Professional Mentorship
- IELTS Required: No
- Deadline: July 9, 2026
Program Details
The Dangote Cement Industry-Based Engineering Research Competition 2026 is now accepting applications from undergraduate engineering students across Nigerian universities. The competition is sponsored by Dangote Cement Plc and organized by the Academic & Research Board (ARB) of the University of Lagos Engineering Society (ULES).
The initiative is designed to encourage students to tackle real-life industrial challenges by creating innovative and sustainable engineering solutions that support Africa’s industrial development. Through this competition, participants will gain valuable industry exposure, strengthen their research and problem-solving skills, and connect with leading professionals in the engineering sector while contributing practical ideas to improve cement manufacturing efficiency, reliability, and sustainability.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Dangote Cement Undergraduate Engineering Research Competition 2026, applicants must:
- Be a team of 2–4 undergraduate engineering students currently enrolled in a Nigerian university.
- Ensure all team members are from the same institution.
- Multidisciplinary engineering teams are encouraged.
- Select one of the four available competition challenge tracks.
- Submit only original research and solutions.
- No previous experience in the cement industry is required.
Program Benefits
Successful participants in the Dangote Cement Undergraduate Engineering Research Competition 2026 will receive:
- 1st Place: ₦700,000 plus Certificate
- 2nd Place: ₦500,000 plus Certificate
- 3rd Place: ₦300,000 plus Certificate
- Networking opportunities with industry professionals
- Professional mentorship
- Opportunity to develop practical, sustainable solutions for a leading global manufacturing company
- Exposure to top industry leaders and engineering professionals
Program Challenge Tracks
Applicants are required to choose one of the following challenge areas:
- Challenge 1: Alternative Fuel Sourcing and Pricing Optimization
- Challenge 2: Predictive Maintenance and Reliability Early-Warning System
- Challenge 3: Cement Production Conversion Gap
- Challenge 4: Digital KPI Automation and Data Quality
Required Documents
To apply for this competition, each team must prepare to submit:
- A 10-slide executive presentation
- A technical appendix or model/prototype (where applicable)
- A one-page business case outlining value, cost, assumptions, and risks
- An implementation roadmap covering immediate, short-term, and medium-term actions
- A risk and safety assessment relevant to the proposed solution
- A statement of assumptions and data limitations
How to Apply
To apply for the Dangote Cement Undergraduate Engineering Research Competition 2026:
- Visit the competition application webpage.
- Register your team and indicate your preferred challenge track.
- Provide the details of all team members during registration.
- Submit all the required documents before the application deadline.
- Wait for further communication, as submission templates and additional instructions will be shared with registered teams.
To begin the competition application process, click HERE
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