By Alumona Ukwueze

NSUKKA —-Professor Emenike Ejiogu, a distinguished scholar in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has been named the Nigerian Content Innovator of the Year at the maiden edition of the Champions of Nigerian Content Awards.

The award ceremony took place on Wednesday at the headquarters of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as part of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF 2025).

Jointly organized by NCDMB and Sweetcrude Limited, the event celebrated individuals and institutions making exceptional strides in promoting local content within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

Prof. Ejiogu, who also serves as Director of the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Power and Energy Development (ACE-SPED) at UNN, was recognized for his pioneering efforts in addressing Nigeria’s energy challenges through locally developed technologies.

Among his notable innovations is the design and fabrication of 100KVA and 500KVA Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) Gasification Plants, which convert waste to energy. These systems were developed entirely within his Laboratory of Innovative Electronics, Power Devices and New Energy Systems (LIEPNES) at UNN.

In his acceptance speech, Prof. Ejiogu expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating:

“It’s a great honour to receive this award from the prestigious NCDMB. I spent 25 years in Japan conducting research and development in the energy sector, always with the goal of applying that knowledge back home in Nigeria. That vision led me to return and contribute to domesticating these technologies for the benefit of our youth and our nation.”

He added that the award serves as both encouragement and a renewed call to action:

“This recognition motivates us to continue our work and reinforces our commitment, along with our research collaborators, to contribute meaningfully to national development.”

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, emphasized the integrity and diligence of the selection process.

“These awards are not just about compliance—they recognize those who have gone above and beyond to drive real growth in Nigerian content,” he said.

Also honoured at the event was former President Goodluck Jonathan, who received the Nigerian Content Lifetime Achievement Award.

The NCDMB, established by the Federal Government, plays a key role in developing local capacity in the oil and gas industry and ensuring adherence to Nigerian content regulations.