FG Launches National Laureate Prize to Reward Top Student Researchers with Up to ₦20 Million
The Federal Government has introduced a major new award to recognise and financially support outstanding research by students in Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions.
The initiative, known as the Nigeria National Laureate Annual Prize Programme, offers cash prizes of up to ₦20 million for the best dissertations and theses. It aims to encourage serious academic work that can solve real problems or lead to useful innovations.
Prize Breakdown
According to the Federal Ministry of Education, the rewards are structured as follows:
:Undergraduate students with the best dissertations will receive a minimum of ₦5 million
:Master’s students with outstanding theses will get ₦10 million
:Doctoral (PhD) students with exceptional research will be awarded up to ₦20 million
Winners will also receive national recognition for their scholarly contributions.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Tuesday by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Education. The statement explained that the prize targets dissertations and theses that show strong intellectual quality and potential for real-world impact.
Minister’s Remarks
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa (also referred to as Dr. Tunji Alausa), described the programme as a strategic step to place academic excellence and innovation at the heart of national development.
He said the initiative is designed to reshape the country’s educational incentive structure by giving research and scholarly achievement the prestige and reward they deserve.
Who Can Apply?
The prize is open to full-time students in accredited tertiary institutions across Nigeria. Submissions must demonstrate high-quality research that can contribute to industries, improve lives, or support economic growth.
A 10-member National Laureate Prize Committee will be set up to ensure a fair and transparent selection process.
Timeline for 2026 Cycle
For the first edition in 2026:
:A nationwide call for submissions will open in May 2026 via the NERD portal.
:Evaluation of entries will take place from June to September 2026.
:Winners will be announced and honoured at a National Laureate Gala scheduled for November 2026 in Abuja
Why This Initiative Matters
Many students and lecturers have welcomed the move, saying it could motivate young researchers to go beyond simply completing their projects for graduation. In a system where funding and recognition for research have often been limited, the substantial cash prizes and national honours send a clear signal: serious academic effort will be rewarded.
If you are currently working on your undergraduate project, master’s thesis, or PhD dissertation, this could be a strong reason to aim for excellence. Keep an eye on official channels from the Federal Ministry of Education and the *NERD* portal for the detailed guidelines and call for entries starting in May.
This programme is still new, but it has the potential to boost innovation coming out of Nigerian campuses and help turn good ideas into solutions that benefit the country.