Engineering for Industry has opened applications for the 2026 Nigerian Genius Competition, Campus Edition, with N1 million prize, a national engineering innovation programme designed to identify and reward outstanding undergraduate engineering students across Nigeria.
The organisers said the competition brings together some of Nigeria’s brightest young minds to develop practical solutions to the country’s most complex engineering and manufacturing challenges. The campus edition specifically targets engineering students from universities and polytechnics, encouraging them to apply advanced technical skills to real national problems.
According to Engineering for Industry, the programme is structured as a team-based challenge that promotes collaboration, creativity and hands-on problem solving. Selected teams will participate in an intensive one-week engineering programme focused on applied design, fabrication and prototyping.
In a statement announcing the opening of applications, the organisers said the Nigerian Genius Competition “is designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world engineering practice by exposing students to industry-aligned problem solving.”
They explained that participating teams are expected to work on engineering solutions that address pressing issues in Nigeria, particularly in manufacturing, product development and applied technology. The programme places strong emphasis on practical output rather than theoretical concepts.
The organisers disclosed that the winning team of the 2026 Nigerian Genius Campus Edition will receive a cash prize of ₦1 million to further develop their engineering solution. Other participants will benefit from technical training, professional exposure and networking opportunities.
The competition is open to teams of three engineering students drawn from any Nigerian university or polytechnic. Team members are encouraged to come from different engineering departments in order to promote interdisciplinary collaboration. Teams with female participants are also strongly encouraged to apply.
Engineering for Industry noted that while individual team members are not required to possess all technical skills, each team should demonstrate a strong combined capacity across key engineering areas. These include computer-aided design, embedded systems, applied mechanical and electrical engineering, fabrication and prototyping.
The organisers confirmed that the programme will take place at the Advanced Engineering Centre in Aba, where accommodation and feeding will be fully provided for all selected participants throughout the one-week duration.
They described the centre as a controlled engineering environment that allows participants to focus entirely on innovation, teamwork and skills development without logistical distractions.
Application for the 2026 Nigerian Genius Competition closes on 11 January 2026. Interested teams are expected to complete the official application process through the designated application portal.
Engineering for Industry advised applicants to apply early due to the competitive nature of the programme and the limited number of available slots.
Speaking on the value of the initiative, the organisers said the competition equips students with industry-relevant experience that strengthens their prospects for internships, graduate employment, innovation grants and future engineering opportunities.
They added that participation in the Nigerian Genius Competition also enhances students’ academic and professional profiles by demonstrating problem-solving ability, teamwork and innovation capacity.
The organisers reiterated that the programme is a competition and skills development initiative, not a traditional academic scholarship, and is aimed at preparing young engineers to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s industrial and technological growth.
