Dangote Cement Plc has opened applications for the 2026 Industry-Based Engineering Research Competition, an exciting initiative designed to empower undergraduate engineering students to develop innovative, practical, and sustainable solutions to real-world industrial challenges.
Organized by the Academic & Research Board (ARB) of the University of Lagos Engineering Society (ULES) and sponsored by Dangote Cement Plc, the competition provides students with an opportunity to showcase their research, collaborate with industry experts, and compete for ₦1.5 million in cash prizes.
Dangote Cement Undergraduate Research Competition 2026 Summary
- Host: Dangote Cement Plc
- Organizer: Academic & Research Board (ARB), University of Lagos Engineering Society (ULES)
- Category: Competition
- Eligible Country: Nigeria
- Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate Engineering Students
- Rewards: ₦1.5 Million Cash Prizes | Certificates | Professional Mentorship | Networking Opportunities
- Application Deadline: July 9, 2026
About the Competition
The Dangote Cement Industry-Based Engineering Research Competition challenges undergraduate engineering students to develop innovative, research-driven solutions that address critical issues within the cement manufacturing industry.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real industrial operations by encouraging students to apply engineering knowledge to solve practical challenges that support Africa’s industrial development.
Competition Objectives
The competition is designed to:
- Bridge the gap between academic engineering and real industrial operations.
- Strengthen students’ problem-solving, analytical, and business communication skills.
- Generate innovative solutions that improve efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in cement manufacturing.
- Foster stronger collaboration between Dangote Cement Plc and emerging engineering talent across Nigerian universities.
Eligibility Requirements
To participate, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Teams must consist of 2–4 currently enrolled undergraduate engineering students.
- All team members must be from the same university.
- Multidisciplinary engineering teams are encouraged.
- Each team must select one of the four available challenge tracks.
- Only original and unpublished work will be accepted.
- Previous experience in the cement industry is not required.
Competition Challenge Tracks
Each team must select one of the following research 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
Benefits
Successful participants will compete for a total prize pool of ₦1.5 million, distributed as follows:
- 1st Place: ₦700,000 + Certificate
- 2nd Place: ₦500,000 + Certificate
- 3rd Place: ₦300,000 + Certificate
Participants will also receive:
- Professional networking opportunities with industry experts.
- Mentorship from experienced engineering professionals.
- Exposure to real-world industrial problem-solving.
- Recognition from one of Africa’s leading manufacturing companies.
- The opportunity to showcase innovative solutions to top industry leaders.
Required Submission Documents
Each team is expected to submit:
- A 10-slide executive presentation.
- A technical appendix or prototype/model (where applicable).
- A one-page business case outlining value, costs, assumptions, and risks.
- A practical implementation roadmap covering immediate, short-term, and medium-term execution plans.
- A risk and safety assessment related to the proposed solution.
- A statement of assumptions and data limitations.
During registration, teams will indicate their preferred challenge track and provide details of all team members. Submission templates and additional guidelines will be shared with registered participants.
How to Apply
Interested and eligible applicants should complete the online registration form before the application deadline.
After registration, participating teams will receive detailed submission guidelines, templates, and further instructions for the competition.
Application Deadline: July 9, 2026
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