Sopuruchi Onwuka

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting innovation in the oil and gas sector through funding, mentorship, and business development opportunities for participants in its 2025/2026 Research, Innovation and Technology Challenge.

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The General Manager, Corporate Communications, Dr Obinna Ezeobi, said on Tuesday that the Board is inviting submissions of qualified proposals for admission into the NCDMB Technology Innovation and Incubation Centre (TIIC) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

According to him, the top five winners of the innovation challenge will receive access to funding opportunities, business mentorship, and media exposure. He added that the top 10 participants will be onboarded into the TIIC at the Nigerian Content Tower for structured guidance and further development of their innovations.

“All the top 15 performers will benefit from mentorship and other support designed to move their ideas from concept to commercialisation,” Ezeobi said.

Oracle Intelligence reports that the Board recently launched the Nigerian Content Research, Innovation and Technology Challenge 2025/2026, calling on individuals, research institutions, academics, oil and gas service providers, and members of the public with viable research innovations to submit proposals for evaluation.

The competition aims to identify and develop new technologies that address critical challenges in the oil and gas industry and its linked sectors. Submissions must align with approved thematic areas and priority industry challenges.

The thematic areas include Geological and Geophysical Studies, Local Materials Substitution Studies, Technology Development Studies, Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Studies, Engineering Studies, and Renewable Energy.

Under Geological and Geophysical Studies, proposals are expected to focus on solutions for exploration, big data applications, and real-time logging data processing. Local Materials Substitution Studies should concentrate on sustainable materials for environmental remediation, cryogenic technology for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and refinery applications, as well as locally sourced materials for ultra-high temperature and pressure cementing.

For Technology Development Studies, the Board is seeking innovations in de-nationalisation technology, the application of the Internet of Things in exploration and production, and condensate refining technology. HSE proposals are expected to address carbon capture, utilisation and storage technologies, depollution and produced water management systems, and hydrogen production methods that enhance carbon dioxide capture.

Engineering Studies should focus on enhanced oil recovery technologies, refinery unit technologies to improve efficiency, laboratory analytical equipment for materials testing, as well as drilling technologies, instrumentation, and control systems.

In the Renewable Energy category, proposals are expected in areas such as solar and wind energy solutions, as well as energy storage systems including battery technologies, hydrogen storage, thermal storage, and molten salts.

Submitted proposals must not exceed 1,500 words and should be sent via email to info@tiic.com.ng no later than one month from the date of publication. Entries must follow a prescribed format, including company or institution name, thematic area, title and description of the innovation, objectives, team structure, funding model and budget estimate, marketing plan, and risk analysis.

At the first stage of the competition, 30 proposals will be shortlisted and assigned mentors to help refine their concepts and develop demos and presentations. This number will be reduced to 10 at the second stage, and finally to five on the final day, when the winners will be selected.

According to the Board, shortlisted innovators will pitch their business ideas and demonstrations to corporate venture capitalists “to attract investment, drive innovation, expand market reach, and support the growth of emerging businesses.”