The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has kicked off the 2025 edition of its National Undergraduate Essay Competition, offering a cash prize of N1 million to the overall winner.
The ninth edition of the annual contest is now open to students in Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, both public and private. This year’s topic is: Sustaining Local Content Policies in the Transitioning Oil and Gas Industry.
Speaking on the launch, the competition’s consultant, Eyinimi Omorozi, confirmed that entries opened on August 1 and the award ceremony will hold on September 26 at the board’s headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
“The grand prize for the winner of this year’s competition is a cash award of N1,000,000, while each of the top ten finalists will receive a brand-new laptop,” he said.
According to Omorozi, the initiative aims to boost academic performance while building awareness around Nigeria’s local content policy among young people.
“This competition is more than just writing,” he explained. “It’s about preparing the next generation to understand and shape the oil and gas industry from a local perspective.”
He said the essay topic reflects the ongoing global shift away from fossil fuels and calls for local strategies that ensure Nigeria remains relevant in the energy sector.
“Students are encouraged to think critically about how the country can sustain its local content policies while adapting to global energy changes,” he added.
Interested students are to submit their essays through the official portal: www.ncdmbessay.ng.
The board sees the essay prize as a flagship youth development initiative. It is one of several programmes the NCDMB is using to groom young Nigerians who can contribute to building value and innovation in the oil and gas space.
“The board remains committed to developing intellectual capacity and equipping young Nigerians to take part meaningfully in the country’s energy future,” Omorozi stated.
The competition has consistently attracted hundreds of entries across the country, and NCDMB officials say it continues to serve as a platform for nurturing homegrown talent.
