Nigeria Launches National Laureate Prize for Education Excellence

The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the establishment of the National Laureate Prize for Academic Excellence, a landmark initiative designed to recognize and reward outstanding academic research and intellectual excellence in commercial viable innovations across tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, the program aims to reshape Nigeria's educational incentive structure and prioritize academic excellence.

The National Laureate Prize will honor annual laureates with financial rewards ranging from N5 million for undergraduate dissertations to N20 million for doctoral thesis winners. The program will be funded by Nerd, ensuring no burden on public finances.

A 10-member National Laureate Prize Committee, chaired by Prof. Abubakar Sambo, will oversee the implementation, including the submission and selection process. The inaugural cycle will begin with a call for submissions in May 2026, evaluations from June to September, and a gala scheduled for November 2026 in Abuja.