FG Launches N20m National Laureate Prize for Top Student Researchers

The Federal Government has unveiled the Nigeria National Laureate Annual Prize Programme, a major initiative designed to reward academic excellence and promote research-driven development across tertiary institutions.

Announcing the programme in a press statement on March 31, 2026, the Minister of Education, Maruf Olatunji Alausa, described the initiative as a strategic move to elevate scholarly innovation and position research as a key driver of national growth.

According to the minister, the National Laureate Prize will offer substantial financial rewards to outstanding student researchers. Undergraduate dissertations will attract N5 million, master’s theses N10 million, and doctoral research up to N20 million, alongside national recognition.

Dr. Alausa explained that the programme seeks to reposition academic research as a valuable national asset, encouraging students and institutions to contribute innovative solutions to Nigeria’s development challenges.

The programme will be funded by the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) and its partners. A 10-member committee chaired by Prof. Abubakar Sambo has been established to oversee implementation, including submission, evaluation, and selection processes.

Tertiary institutions have been directed to nominate outstanding research, while the committee may also identify exceptional works independently.

The 2026 cycle will begin with a call for submissions in May, followed by evaluation from June to September, and will conclude with a National Laureate Gala in November 2026 in Abuja.