By Peter Omopo
The Federal Government has approved the establishment of the Nigeria National Laureate Annual Prize Programme, an initiative aimed at recognising and rewarding outstanding academic research and innovation across the country’s tertiary institutions.
Announcing the development, the Minister of Education, Maruf Olatunji Alausa, described the programme as a strategic effort to reposition academic excellence and research as key drivers of national development.
According to the minister, the initiative will honour exceptional dissertations and theses produced by students in accredited institutions, with annual awards under the National Laureate Prize.
Under the scheme, undergraduate dissertation winners will receive a minimum of ₦5 million, master’s degree recipients ₦10 million, and doctoral candidates ₦20 million, alongside national recognition.
Alausa said the programme reflects the government’s commitment to building a knowledge-driven and innovation-led economy, where intellectual contributions are accorded the same recognition as achievements in other sectors.
He noted that the initiative is designed to elevate the value of academic research, stressing that scholarly work should not merely serve as a graduation requirement but also as a foundation for industrialisation and national growth.
To ensure sustainability, the programme will be fully funded by the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank and its strategic partners, without placing additional financial burden on public funds.
A 10-member National Laureate Prize Committee has been constituted to oversee implementation, chaired by Abubakar Sambo. The committee will coordinate submissions, vet entries, and select winners across the country.
Other members include distinguished academics such as Solomon Nwhator, Tolulope Ariyomo, Francis F. Uba, and Carol Arinze-Umobi, alongside representatives from key regulatory bodies including the National Universities Commission, National Board for Technical Education, National Commission for Colleges of Education, and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
In recognition of national service, some awards under the programme will be named after distinguished Nigerians, with the inaugural honour dedicated to Stella Adadevoh for her legacy of courage and professionalism.
The programme is scheduled to begin with the inauguration of the committee, followed by a national call for submissions in May 2026 via the NERD portal. The evaluation process will run from June to September, culminating in a National Laureate Gala in November 2026 in Abuja, where winners will be formally recognised.
The Federal Government has urged tertiary institutions nationwide to submit their best academic works, while encouraging the public to track the process through the official NERD platform.
