– Awards N1m Prize to 16-Year-Old Essay Winner
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, says Nigeria cannot achieve a smooth and economically secure energy transition without deliberately grooming young talents who will drive local content growth in the emerging energy landscape.
Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, made the remark at the 9th Annual National Undergraduate Essay Competition in Yenagoa, where 16-year-old Josephine Oyinkansola Akande, a 200-level medical student of Obafemi Awolowo University, clinched the N1 million grand prize.
Ogbe, represented by the Deputy Manager, Government Relations, Mr. Teddy Bai, said the theme of the 2025 competition, “Sustaining Local Content Policies in the Transitioning Oil and Gas Industry” reflects the urgent need to build a workforce capable of supporting Nigeria’s transition journey.
“The global energy market is shifting, and Nigeria must prepare its human capital to remain competitive,” Ogbe said.
“Local content will not survive the energy transition unless our youths understand the changing dynamics of the industry and acquire the skills to participate meaningfully.”
He noted that the competition is part of the Board’s broader plan under its 10-Year Strategic Roadmap, which places capacity building at the core of Nigeria’s long-term energy sustainability agenda.
“This competition helps young people develop analytical, research and problem-solving skills that are crucial in the new energy economy,” he added.
“We are preparing them to lead Nigeria’s transition into cleaner, smarter and more efficient energy systems.”
Programme Consultant, Mr. Eyinimi Omorozi, said NCDMB’s consistency with the competition demonstrates the Board’s commitment to ensuring that Nigerian youths are not left behind in the global shift toward low-carbon energy.
“Energy transition is not only about technology; it is about people,” Omorozi said.
“What NCDMB is doing is building the thinking capacity that will power Nigeria’s future energy leadership.”
Chairman of the occasion and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Professor Barclays Ayakoromo, said the Board’s investment in intellectual development aligns directly with sustainable energy ambitions.
“If the energy transition must work in Nigeria, we need young minds with deep understanding of both fossil and renewable pathways,” he said.
The top 10 finalists each received laptops and copies of Nigeria’s Local Content: A Journey of Strategic Communication and Economic Transformation. The runners-up, Sonuga Sultan Opeyemi and Amarachi Precious Aguigwe, received N700,000 and N500,000 respectively.
In a vote of thanks, the General Manager, Corporate Communications Division, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, represented by Mr. Teleola Oyeleke, reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to sustaining the programme.
“NCDMB will continue shaping the minds that will secure Nigeria’s energy future,” he said.
The event drew students from several tertiary institutions, industry stakeholders and senior NCDMB officials.
