Esther Anene and Aigbe-Edebor Gaius, two Petroleum Engineering students from Igbinedion University Okada(IUO), have achieved a remarkable feat by qualifying for the Regional Stage of the Nigerian Engineering Olympiad (NEO).
Their innovative project, “SMART-FLARE AI-Enabled Gas Capture and Monetization System,” stood out amongst numerous entries nationwide, earning them a place among the top contenders.
The Nigerian Engineering Olympiad Management Team conveyed the exciting news to Prof. Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, PhD, FAS, the Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University, highlighting the competitive nature of the selection process.
Anene and Gaius’s project offers a cutting-edge solution to a pressing issue in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector: the wasteful and environmentally damaging practice of gas flaring.
By leveraging artificial intelligence(AI), their system aims to capture and monetize flared gas, turning an environmental liability into an economic asset.
The Igbinedion University team is now preparing to compete against four other leading regional teams at the upcoming event in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, scheduled from April 19–21, 2026.
The stakes are high, as only the top-performing teams will advance further in the competition. Anene and Gaius’s success not only brings pride to their university but also underscores the potential of young Nigerian engineers to develop innovative solutions to complex challenges.
To support prototype development ahead of the competition, the NEO has awarded the team a ₦3,000,000 grant, which also covers logistics, accommodation, and feeding during the regional event.
The Nigerian Engineering Olympiad was established to identify, nurture, and promote high-impact engineering innovations from undergraduate and postgraduate students across tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
