FG Introduces ₦365 Million Prize for Academic Research

The Federal Government of Nigeria announced the launch of a ₦365 million annual prize scheme called the Tertiary Institutions National Laureate Prize, aimed at celebrating high-impact academic research within the country's tertiary institutions. The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, during an event in Abuja on August 26, 2026.

The initiative, confirmed by the ministry's Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, will recognize outstanding undergraduate dissertations, Master's theses, and doctoral research with commercial, industrial, or developmental potential. The awards will cover six areas: Engineering, Medicine and Health Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Agriculture, Law, and Teaching Innovation.

A notable component of the prize is the ₦30 million Dr. Stella Adadevoh Prize for Medicine and Medical Innovation, named after the late physician who played a crucial role in containing the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria in 2014. The program aims to bridge the gap between academic output and practical application, promoting research commercialization and strengthening the connection between education and national development.