The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has launched the Nigerian Content Research, Innovation and Technology Challenge for the 2025 to 2026 cycle, signalling a renewed push to grow homegrown technology and research capacity within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and its connected sectors.

The programme, which commenced in December 2025, is designed to attract practical research ideas and scalable innovations that can solve long-standing industry problems, reduce reliance on foreign technology, and strengthen local participation across the energy value chain. The Board has invited submissions from individuals, research institutions, academic bodies, oil and gas service providers, and members of the public with viable research-driven solutions.

Successful proposals will be evaluated for admission into the NCDMB Technology Innovation and Incubation Centre located in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where selected innovators will receive technical guidance, mentorship, and support toward commercialisation.

According to the Board, the challenge focuses on priority areas that reflect both current operational needs and the future direction of the industry. These include geological and geophysical studies aimed at improving exploration outcomes through advanced data processing, real-time logging, and big data applications. Local materials substitution studies are also prioritised, with emphasis on sustainable materials for environmental remediation, cryogenic applications for liquefied natural gas and refinery operations, and locally sourced materials capable of withstanding ultra-high temperature and pressure conditions.

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Technology development proposals are expected to address denationalisation technology, the application of the Internet of Things in exploration and production, and condensate refining solutions. In the area of health, safety, and environmental studies, the Board is seeking innovations focused on carbon capture, utilisation, and storage, greenhouse gas emission reduction, produced water management, depollution technologies, and hydrogen production methods that support carbon dioxide capture.

Engineering-focused submissions are expected to propose solutions for enhanced oil recovery, refinery unit technologies that improve efficiency, laboratory analytical equipment for materials testing, and advances in drilling technology, instrumentation, and control systems. Renewable energy proposals are also encouraged, particularly those centred on solar and wind technologies, as well as energy storage systems such as battery solutions, hydrogen storage, thermal storage, and molten salt technologies.

The Board has set a submission limit of 1,500 words per proposal, with entries required to be sent via electronic mail to the Technology Innovation and Incubation Centre within one month of the publication date. Each submission is expected to clearly outline the identity of the proposing organisation or institution, the relevant thematic area, the innovation concept, its objectives, team structure, funding approach, commercial strategy, and risk considerations.

The competition will be run in multiple stages, beginning with the selection of 30 proposals whose teams will be paired with mentors to refine their ideas into viable demonstrations and business presentations. From this pool, 10 proposals will advance to the next phase, with 5 finalists emerging at the final stage, where winners will be selected.

According to the Board, the finalists will pitch their solutions directly to corporate venture capital investors, creating opportunities for funding, market expansion, and strategic partnerships. “The innovators will present their business pitches and demonstrations to corporate venture capitalists to invest, drive innovation, and expand market reach, while helping emerging businesses grow,” the Board stated.

Winners of the challenge will receive a combination of cash prizes, mentorship support, and media exposure. In addition, the top 10 participants will be onboarded into the Technology Innovation and Incubation Centre at the Nigerian Content Tower, where they will receive structured support to refine their innovations and move them closer to commercial deployment.

Through the initiative, the NCDMB is positioning innovation, research, and technology development as central pillars of Nigerian content growth, at a time when the industry faces increasing pressure to localise expertise, cut costs, and align with global energy transition realities.

Meiza Nigeria