The Federal Government has introduced the Tertiary Institutions National Laureate Prize, a new annual ₦365 million award designed to recognise exceptional research, innovation and intellectual achievement among students and researchers in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
The initiative was announced by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, in a post on X on Thursday. He said the programme reflects the government’s commitment to promoting academic excellence and encouraging research and innovation.
Under the scheme, the Undergraduate Star Prize will receive ₦35 million, while the Master’s Star Prize is valued at ₦50 million. The Doctoral Star Prize will attract ₦100 million.
Another ₦180 million will be distributed through 15 Thematic Excellence Prizes, with ₦12 million allocated to each category.
According to Alausa, the competition is open to students and researchers in all accredited universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across Nigeria.
He said the award would create a nationwide platform for discovering and celebrating research and innovations capable of making a meaningful impact.
“It is my pleasure to announce the opening of the Tertiary Institutions National Laureate Prize.
“As part of our commitment to supporting student excellence, the National Laureate Prize is a new national platform to celebrate and reward outstanding research, innovation and intellectual excellence across our universities, polytechnics and colleges of education,” Alausa wrote.
Prize to Recognise Excellence Across Key Fields
The minister said the programme will recognise outstanding contributions across several disciplines, including Engineering and Technology, Medicine and Health Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Agriculture, Law and Teaching Innovation.
The government has also established the Dr Stella Adadevoh Prize for Medicine and Medical Innovation in honour of the late physician and her courage and contributions to Nigeria.
Alausa said he recently briefed the media alongside members of the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) National Laureate team. The briefing formally introduced the prize, including its structure, implementation framework and selection criteria.
According to the minister, the Federal Ministry of Education and NERD will jointly administer the award through a “transparent, competitive and merit-driven process” that will focus on academic excellence and measurable impact.
The initiative, he added, is consistent with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the administration’s priorities in human capital development, research and innovation.
“The President has continued to demonstrate his commitment to investing in Nigeria’s human capital and giving our young people the platforms they need to compete, innovate and succeed,” he said.
FG Targets Practical Solutions Through Education
Alausa said the broader goal of the programme is to encourage an education system that extends beyond the awarding of academic certificates.
He explained that the government wants tertiary institutions to become stronger sources of practical solutions, innovative ideas, enterprises and measurable value for the country.
Through the National Laureate Prize, the government hopes to motivate students and researchers to develop work that can contribute to Nigeria’s social and economic development while strengthening the country’s culture of innovation and academic excellence.
