The federal government has approved the Nigeria National Laureate Annual Prize Programme. It will reward top student researchers with up to ₦20 million for outstanding academic work.
In a statement on Tuesday, Boriowo Folashade, director of press and public relations at the Ministry of Education, confirmed the development.
Tunji Alausa, minister of education, said the initiative aims to reward excellence. He added that it will promote research-driven innovation.
According to him, undergraduate dissertation winners will receive at least ₦5 million. Master’s thesis winners will get ₦10 million. Doctoral candidates will receive ₦20 million.
Furthermore, Alausa described the programme as a strategic intervention.
He said it will reposition Nigeria as a knowledge-driven and innovation-led economy.
“By elevating our students to the status of celebrated national laureates, we are matching academic excellence with national prestige and financial reward,” he said.
In addition, the minister said the initiative will shift national attention.
He said it will redirect focus towards intellectual achievement and innovation.
“While it is not wrong to celebrate social influencers, this must not be at the expense of innovators,” he added.
He also said the programme will redefine academic research.
According to him, it will move research from a graduation requirement to a tool for national development.
NERD FUNDS THE PRIZE
Meanwhile, Alausa said the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) will fund the programme.
He said NERD will work with strategic partners.
As a result, the initiative will not place extra burden on public funds.
In addition, the ministry has set up a 10-member National Laureate Prize Committee.
Abubakar Sambo will chair the committee.
The committee will oversee implementation. It will handle submissions, screening and final selection.
Other members include representatives from key institutions.
These include the Nigerian Academy of Letters, Nigerian Academy of Sciences, National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), and the Federal Ministry of Education.
Furthermore, Alausa said some prizes will carry special names.
He said the inaugural honour will be named after Stella Adadevoh.
He added that tertiary institutions have been directed to nominate their best works.
However, the committee will also identify outstanding research nationwide.
According to the ministry, the 2026 cycle will begin with the inauguration of the committee.
After that, a national call for submissions will open in May.
The evaluation phase will run from June to September.
Finally, the National Laureate Gala will hold in November 2026 in Abuja.
