The DCP University Engineering Challenge invites university engineering students to develop practical, evidence-based solutions to real operational problems faced in cement manufacturing. Working in teams, students choose one of four challenge tracks and present an engineering and business case for a workable solution. 

What this challenge is designed to do

→Bridge the gap between academic engineering and real industrial operations

→Develop problem-solving, data, and business-case communication skills

→Surface fresh ideas for cement manufacturing efficiency, reliability and sustainability

→Build links between DCP and emerging engineering talent

Dangote Undergraduate Industry-Based Engineering Research Competition Benefits

Total Prize Pool: N1.5M

1st Place: N700K&Certificate

2nd Place: N500K&Certificate

3rd Place: N300K&Certificate

Requirements for Dangote Undergraduate Industry-Based Engineering Research Competition

Teams of 2–4 currently enrolled university engineering students

Teams must be from one school

Multidisciplinary teams are encouraged

Select one of four challenge tracks

Submit only original work

No prior cement-industry experience required

Selection Process

Registration Opens: Tuesday, 30 June 2026

Submission Deadline: Thursday, 9 July 2026,11:59 PM WAT

Shortlist Decision: Sunday, 12 July 2026

Final Pitch & Results:Tuesday, 14 July 2026, UNILAG

Application Deadline

July 9, 2026

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Dangote on docs.google.com to apply

Four Challenge Tracks

Each team selects ONE track. All four are weighted equally — choose the one that best matches your team's strengths.

1. Alternative Fuel Sourcing and Pricing Optimization

Design a sourcing model for feasible alternative-fuel streams within Nigeria that delivers reliable, safe, and cost-competitive fuel to DCP cement plants.

Recommended disciplines: Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil & Environmental Engineering, and others

2.Predictive Maintenance and Reliability Early-Warning System

Design a practical early-warning model that predicts or flags high-risk equipment before major failures occur across crushers, mills, kilns, and packing equipment.

Recommended disciplines: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, and others

3. Cement Production Conversion Gap

Diagnose why clinker strength does not always translate into cement output, and design a conversion-loss bridge separating rate, runtime, feed, and planning constraints.

Recommended disciplines: Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and others

4.Digital KPI Automation and Data Quality

Design a digital KPI reporting and validation concept that improves data quality, exception visibility, and management decision-making across DCP plants.

Recommended disciplines: Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, and others