?The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has unveiled the winners of the 10th edition of its Annual National Undergraduate Essay Competition at a ceremony held at the NCDMB Conference Centre in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Out of roughly 5,000 entries from 52 universities nationwide, Mr. Wisdom David Fabunmi, a 200-level Physiotherapy student at the University of Ilorin, secured the overall grand prize of N1 million, a laptop, and a plaque.
Ms. Joy Oghogho Enogieru of the University of Benin and Mr. Ahmadu Kodan Yusuf of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, took second and third places, earning N700,000 and N500,000 respectively, alongside laptops and plaques.
?Representing the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the General Manager of Corporate Communications, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, highlighted the importance of engaging Nigerian youth in critical thinking regarding local content.
Centered on the theme "Promoting Manufacturing for Sustainable Local Content Development," this year's contest urged undergraduates to examine ways to boost domestic production capacity.
Dr. Ezeobi emphasized that local manufacturing remains the bedrock of sustainable Nigerian content, pointing to board initiatives such as the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme (NOGaPS) and the Nigerian Content Equipment Commitment (NCEC) policy as direct efforts to drive industrialization and domestic component manufacturing.
?The event featured remarks from key stakeholders, including the Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Otuoke, Professor Promise Mebine, and program consultant Mr. Eyinimi Omorozi, CEO of Mahogany 21st Century Concepts Limited, both of whom praised the NCDMB's decade-long commitment to developing young minds.
Beyond the essay competition, the NCDMB continues to support youth development through direct skill acquisition programs, university research centers of excellence, the Catch-the-Researcher-Young Programme (CRYP), and specialized oil and gas training initiatives designed to prepare young Nigerians for emerging industry opportunities.
