Young engineering and science students across Nigeria have described the newly launched Nigerian Engineering Olympiad as a turning point in their academic journey, saying the platform offers hope, opportunity, and motivation to stay and build careers at home.
Many of the students who attended the unveiling in Abuja said the initiative—driven by Renaissance and its partners—has given them renewed confidence that talent can thrive in Nigeria with the right support.
Habiba Suleiman, a student of Environmental and Safety Technology at Kaduna Polytechnic, said the programme has broadened her understanding of engineering and affirmed her belief in local opportunities.
“This event opened my eyes to see that engineering is the bedrock of almost everything,” she said. “It shows that we can be innovative, creative, and still impact our society. Now I know there is a platform where we can upgrade ourselves, try, fail, learn, and still get rewarded.”
She added that with such opportunities, young Nigerians may be encouraged to remain in the country rather than join the increasing wave of migration.
“Almost one in ten of my peers wants to leave,” she said. “But Nigeria has problems, and where there are problems, there are opportunities. The government must support initiatives like this to help young people stay and build solutions locally.”
For Ekan Akpan, a Computer Science student at the African University of Science and Technology, the Olympiad provides a fresh challenge he is eager to embrace.
“I love competitions, and this is another one to add to my portfolio,” he said. “There are opportunities in Nigeria. You just have to find the problems and solve them.”
At the press briefing, Renaissance, the major sponsor, reaffirmed its commitment to investing in human capital development, especially in engineering and ICT.
Renaissance’s Nigerian Content Manager, Olawuyi Olanrewaju said the company invests heavily in STEM education at all levels—including fully funded postgraduate scholarships in the United Kingdom for Niger Delta students.
“People are our biggest resource,” he said. “All our scholarships, including those abroad, are fully funded. We pay students for internships and support them to grow their skills.”
He added that the company offers annual internship slots, noting that 100 engineering students were engaged in 2025 alone, with additional placements through partnerships with SAP Africa and NCAB.
The country director for Enactus Nigeria, Michael Ajayi, whose organisation is implementing the Olympiad, said the programme is designed to nurture practical innovation.
“This initiative inspires young engineers to develop solutions to real-life problems,” he said. “With technical mentorship, business support, and backing from the Nigerian Society of Engineers and NSENI, participants will be guided every step of the way.”
Students at the event urged the government to create policies that support such private-sector initiatives and maintain sustainable pathways for innovation, employment, and entrepreneurship.
