The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled the National Laureate Annual Prize Programme to reward top student researchers with up to N20 million.
Per a recent announcement, the initiative will offer between N5 million and N20 million to students for outstanding academic works across tertiary institutions to boost innovation, research quality, and national development.
The programme will reward exceptional undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral research annually. Undergraduate winners will receive at least ₦5 million for top dissertations. Master’s winners will earn ₦10 million, while doctoral winners will receive ₦20 million.
The Minister of Education, Maruf Olatunji Alausa, announced the programme as a strategic education reform. He said the government aims to prioritise academic excellence and research-driven innovation. He added that Nigeria must build a knowledge-based, globally competitive economy.
The government has set up a 10-member National Laureate Prize Committee to oversee implementation. The committee will manage submissions, vet entries, and select winners nationwide. It includes representatives from the National Universities Commission and Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
The committee also features members from the National Board for Technical Education and other key education bodies. Prof. Abubakar Sambo will chair the committee and supervise all processes. The Nigeria Education Repository and Databank will coordinate programme execution.
Tertiary institutions must assess and submit their best research for national consideration. The committee will identify outstanding contributions across disciplines and institutions. Officials say this process will ensure fairness, quality, and nationwide participation.
Submissions for the 2026 cycle will open in May through the official NERD portal. Evaluations will run from June to September before final selections. The programme will end with a National Laureate Gala in Abuja in November 2026.
The government will name selected prizes after distinguished Nigerians who served the nation. The inaugural honour will recognise Stella Adadevoh for her legacy. Officials say the tribute reflects courage, professionalism, and national service.
