The Federal Government has unveiled the National Laureate Prize, a new national initiative designed to recognise and reward outstanding research, innovation and intellectual excellence across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in Nigeria.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during a press briefing held alongside members of the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) National Laureate team.
According to Alausa, the initiative is backed by an initial annual prize fund of ₦365 million, providing major financial rewards for students and researchers whose work demonstrates exceptional academic excellence and national impact.
Under the prize structure, the Undergraduate Star Prize will receive ₦35 million, while the Master’s Star Prize will be worth ₦50 million.
The Doctoral Star Prize carries a ₦100 million award.
An additional ₦180 million has been allocated to 15 Thematic Excellence Prizes, with each category receiving ₦12 million.
The minister said the National Laureate Prize is open to students and researchers across all accredited tertiary institutions in Nigeria, making it a nationwide platform for identifying and supporting promising talent.
The awards will also recognise excellence in critical fields, including Engineering and Technology, Medicine and Health Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Agriculture, Law and Teaching Innovation.
A special Dr Stella Adadevoh Prize for Medicine and Medical Innovation has also been introduced in honour of the late physician’s courage and contribution to Nigeria.
Alausa said the prize would be jointly implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education and NERD through a transparent, competitive and merit-driven process, with academic excellence and measurable impact serving as key considerations.
He said the initiative aligns with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and its Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly the drive to harness knowledge, skills, research and innovation to create opportunities, strengthen the economy and improve Nigerians’ lives.
According to the minister, the government is committed to investing in human capital and providing young Nigerians with platforms to compete, innovate and succeed.
He said the ultimate objective was to build an education system that goes beyond producing certificates to developing solutions, innovations, enterprises and measurable national value.
The National Laureate Prize is therefore positioned as a major new platform for encouraging academic excellence and strengthening research and innovation within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
