DCP University Engineering Challenge 2026 for Undergraduates

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This is to invite all interested undergraduate Engineering Students in Nigeria for the 2026 Undergraduate Industry-Based Engineering Research Competition. This article will guide you towards the application process.

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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, diagnose the problem, and present an engineering and business case for a workable solution.

The challenge is set and sponsored by Dangote Cement Plc (DCP), whose operations include plants at Obajana, Ibese, Gboko and Okpella. It is designed to connect classroom learning with industry practice and to give students a structured way to apply engineering reasoning to genuine plant-level problems.

This challenge is designed to:

• Bridge the gap between academic engineering and real industrial operations
• Develop students' problem-solving, data, and business-case communication skills
• Surface fresh, practical ideas for cement manufacturing efficiency, reliability and sustainability
• Build links between DCP and emerging engineering talent across universities 

This is your chance to step out of the classroom, design real-world, sustainable solutions for a global industrial giant, and get noticed by top industry leaders.

The Prize: ₦1,500,000 up for grabs!

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Prizes & Awards

Total Prize Pool: ₦1.5M

Gold (1st Place): ₦700K

Certificate

Silver (2nd Place): ₦500K

Certificate

Bronze (3rd Place): ₦300K

Certificate

DCP University Engineering Challenge Tracks

The Four Challenge Tracks

Each team selects ONE of the following tracks. All four tracks are weighted equally; choose the one that best matches your team's strengths and disciplines.

Challenge 1: Alternative Fuel Sourcing and Pricing Optimization

Problem Statement

DCP wants to improve alternative-fuel utilisation in its cement kilns, but sourcing, cost, consistency, quality, logistics and handling can be challenging. Teams are expected to identify feasible alternative-fuel streams within Nigeria and design a sourcing model that can deliver reliable, safe, and cost-competitive fuel to selected cement plants.

Why this matters to DCP

Alternative fuel directly supports the thermal substitution rate (TSR), fuel-cost optimisation, sustainability, circular-economy impact and CO₂ reduction. It is especially relevant where TSR is below target and where fuel availability or price competitiveness limits kiln substitution.

Expected Deliverables

• Alternative-fuel opportunity map by location and fuel type
• Cost-per-ton and basic energy-value comparison
• Recommended top three alternative-fuel options with justification
• Pilot implementation roadmap, risk register and mitigation plan
• Business case showing the expected value to DCP

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

Challenge 2: Predictive Maintenance and Reliability Early-Warning System

Problem Statement

DCP plants run multiple critical equipment systems — crushers, raw mills, coal mills, kilns, cement mills and packing equipment. Unplanned failures and repeat stoppages reduce plant reliability, throughput and cost performance. Teams are expected to design a practical early-warning model that predicts or flags high-risk equipment before major failures occur.

Why this matters to DCP

Reliability is a recurring operational priority. A simple, practical predictive system helps maintenance and operations teams prioritise inspections, reduce repeat failures, improve root-cause-analysis discipline, and protect production output.

Expected Deliverables

• Reliability early-warning framework
• Risk-scoring model with clear assumptions
• Dashboard mock-up or prototype
• Example maintenance escalation workflow
• Implementation roadmap for plant use

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

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Challenge 3: Cement Production Conversion Gap

Problem Statement

A cement plant may have clinker available, or achieve reasonable clinker production, yet still miss cement-production targets. Teams are expected to diagnose why clinker strength does not always translate into cement output, and design a conversion-loss bridge that separates rate, runtime, feed, additive, packing, dispatch and planning constraints.

Why this matters to DCP

This addresses a real operating issue: cement production is not only a kiln problem. Output depends on mill availability, grinding rate, product mix, additive availability, silo space, packing capacity, dispatch readiness, power availability and production planning.

Expected Deliverables

• Clinker-to-cement conversion framework
• Loss tree or loss-bridge template
• Dashboard mock-up for daily plant review
• Root-cause hypotheses for typical conversion losses
• Action plan with owners by system

Recommended disciplines: Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and others

Challenge 4: Digital KPI Automation and Data Quality

Problem Statement

DCP plant-performance reporting depends on timely and accurate daily, monthly and year-to-date KPI data. Manual reporting increases the risk of delays, inconsistent templates, missing numbers and weak traceability. Teams are expected to design a digital KPI reporting and validation concept that improves data quality, exception visibility and management decision-making.

Why this matters to DCP

Accurate data is the foundation for plant-performance improvement. This track supports faster reporting, better governance, fewer manual errors, standard KPI definitions, and improved visibility across Obajana, Ibese, Gboko and Okpella.

Expected Deliverables

• KPI data model and reporting workflow
• Validation rule library
• Exception dashboard / wireframe
• Plant sign-off and escalation process
• Implementation roadmap using Excel, Power BI, Power Apps, Python or other suitable tools

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

Eligibility Criteria for DCP University Engineering Challenge

This challenge is open to currently enrolled university engineering students. To take part, teams should:

1. Be made up of currently enrolled university students studying an engineering discipline (a multidisciplinary team is encouraged, as each track draws on more than one discipline)
2. Be a team of TWO - FOUR members
3. Select one of the four challenge tracks in Section 4
4. Submit only their own original work; presenting another team's work is grounds for disqualification

How to Apply for DCP University Engineering Challenge 2026 for Undergraduates

To apply for the Dangote Cement Plc (DCP) University Engineering Challenge competition, click the link below: 

APPLY HERE

Application Deadline

Submit your entries on or before Thursday, July 9th, 2026.