Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Government approved the Nigeria National Laureate Annual Prize Programme to reward outstanding student research from tertiary institutions. The scheme will award top undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral research with cash prizes and national recognition.
Okay News reports undergraduate winners will receive at least N5,000,000, master’s winners N10,000,000, and doctoral winners N20,000,000, using an exchange rate near N1,387 per US dollar these amounts equal about $3,600, $7,200, and $14,400 respectively. The programme aims to elevate research quality and give scholars national prestige.
A 10-member committee chaired by Abubakar Sambo will oversee submissions, vetting, and selection. The ministry plans a call for submissions in May 2026 and the first awards ceremony in November 2026 in Abuja.
Officials say the National Laureate prize will change how students approach final-year projects and theses. Consequently, universities may see stronger research outputs that better address economic and social challenges.
The government also highlighted the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank, a digital platform that has onboarded over 250 institutions and captured 100,000 student submissions. The prize aligns with a $12 million Digital Economy Research Clusters programme to strengthen evidence-based policymaking.
If implemented as planned, the National Laureate programme could boost research funding, support job creation, and raise Nigeria’s academic profile internationally. Observers will watch selection details and the number of winners across the country’s 298 tertiary institutions.
