FG Launches National Laureate Prize to Reward Outstanding Academic Research
By Erewunmi Peace
The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially unveiled the National
Laureate Annual Prize Programme, a new initiative aimed at recognizing and rewarding exceptional academic research from Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The programme targets outstanding dissertations, theses, and research projects across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels, with cash prizes ranging from ₦5 million to ₦20 million for the most innovative and impactful works.
According to officials, the initiative is designed to:
- Promote a culture of research and innovation in Nigerian universities
- Support academic work that contributes to national development
- Encourage students and researchers to pursue high-quality scholarly work
A multi-member committee has been established to oversee the selection and evaluation process, ensuring transparency and merit-based recognition.
The first cycle of the National Laureate Prize is scheduled to run throughout 2026, with awards presented at a formal ceremony later in the year.
Education experts have welcomed the initiative, describing it as a bold step toward strengthening Nigeria’s research capacity and inspiring a new generation of scholars to tackle national and global challenges through innovative research.
The Federal Government hopes the programme will not only highlight academic excellence but also motivate universities to prioritize research that drives societal and economic growth.
