The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a landmark programme to recognise and reward exceptional academic research in tertiary institutions.
Announced in a statement on Tuesday by Boriowo Folasade, the Nigeria National Laureate Annual Prize Programme will award up to N20 million to students whose dissertations and theses demonstrate outstanding intellectual and commercial potential.
Under the scheme, undergraduate dissertation winners will receive a minimum of N5 million, master’s thesis winners will receive N10 million, and doctoral thesis winners will be awarded N20 million, alongside national recognition for their scholarly contributions.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, described the programme as a “strategic national intervention aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s educational incentive structure by placing scholarly achievement, academic excellence, and research innovation at the forefront of national recognition.”
“By elevating our students to the status of celebrated National Laureates, we are ensuring that the rigour of research and academic excellence is matched with the highest level of national prestige and financial reward,” Alausa said. He added, “While it is not wrong to celebrate social influencers, this must not be at the expense of innovators. With the National Laureate Prize, we are signalling a new era where a student’s thesis is no longer merely a graduation requirement but a potential blueprint for national industrialisation and development.”
The initiative will be fully funded by the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) and its strategic partners, ensuring sustainability without additional strain on public funds.
A 10-member NERD National Laureate Prize Committee, chaired by Prof. Abubakar Sambo, will oversee submissions, vetting, and final selection of laureates. Members include representatives from the Nigerian Academy of Letters, Nigerian Academy of Sciences, National Universities Commission, National Board for Technical Education, and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
In a historic tribute, select awards will bear the names of distinguished Nigerians. The first prize will honour Dr Stella Adadevoh for her courage, professionalism, and sacrifice.
Tertiary institutions nationwide have been directed to submit their best academic works, while the Prize Committee may also identify exceptional research independently.
For the 2026 cycle, submissions will open in May via the NERD portal, with evaluations scheduled from June to September. Winners will be celebrated at the National Laureate Gala in November in Abuja.
Members of the public can track the programme’s progress and submission updates through the NERD portal.
