Chinedu Obieze
In a bold move to reposition academic excellence as a cornerstone of national development, the Federal Government has launched a ₦20 million National Laureate Prize aimed at rewarding outstanding research by students in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
Minister of Education, Maruf Olatunji Alausa, described the initiative as a “strategic shift” designed to elevate scholarly achievement to the same level of recognition as other celebrated sectors in society.
Under the programme, exceptional undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral research works will receive financial rewards of ₦5 million, ₦10 million, and ₦20 million respectively, alongside national honours. The initiative targets innovative and commercially viable research capable of driving Nigeria’s industrial and economic transformation.
Alausa emphasized that the prize signals a new national direction where academic work is no longer seen as a mere graduation requirement but as a potential blueprint for solving real-world challenges.
To ensure sustainability, the programme will be funded by the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank and its partners, while a 10-member committee chaired by Abubakar Sambo will oversee implementation and selection.
In a symbolic move, some awards will be named after national icons, beginning with Stella Adadevoh, in recognition of her legacy.
The maiden edition will open for submissions in May 2026, with winners to be honoured at a national gala in Abuja in November.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.