The Federal Government has launched the Tertiary Institutions National Laureate Prize, an annual ₦365 million programme designed to recognise outstanding academic research, innovation and intellectual excellence across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
The initiative is open to students and researchers in accredited universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country.
According to details released by the programme, the prize pool includes ₦35 million for the Undergraduate Star Prize, ₦50 million for the Master’s Star Prize and ₦100 million for the Doctoral Star Prize.
Another ₦180 million will be distributed through 15 thematic excellence categories, with each category receiving ₦12 million.
The programme is intended to strengthen the place of research and innovation within Nigeria’s development agenda while providing greater national recognition for academic work.
The Federal Government had earlier inaugurated the National Laureate Committee under the supervision of Education Minister Tunji Alausa, describing the programme as an intervention aimed at making academic excellence and research more visible and valuable nationally.
The organisers say eligible research areas include science and research, technology and artificial intelligence, medicine and public health, agriculture, engineering, law and governance, education, social impact and other fields connected to national development.
The initiative comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with concerns over funding for higher education, research commercialisation and the ability of universities and other tertiary institutions to retain and develop talented researchers.
The government is hoping the financial incentives and national recognition attached to the programme will encourage students and academics to pursue research capable of addressing practical challenges facing the country.