The Federal Government has approved the establishment of the Nigeria National Laureate Annual Prize Programme. This initiative is designed to reward outstanding academic research from tertiary institutions across the nation.

The announcement was made by the Federal Ministry of Education through its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade. The programme will provide financial rewards and national recognition to undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students who produce top-tier research work.

Minister of Education, Maruf Olatunji Alausa, stated that the initiative aims to encourage academic excellence and innovation. He emphasized that by elevating students to the status of National Laureates, the government ensures that the rigor of research is matched with national prestige and financial reward.

The programme is considered a strategic national intervention to reshape Nigeria’s educational incentive structure. It prioritizes scholarly achievement, academic excellence, and research innovation, placing them at the forefront of national recognition.

Winners will receive substantial financial prizes. Undergraduate students with outstanding research projects will be awarded at least N5 million. Master’s degree holders will receive N10 million, while PhD recipients will be granted N20 million.

A 10-member committee, chaired by Abubakar Sambo, has been constituted to manage the submissions, vetting, and selection of the awardees. The programme is scheduled to commence with a call for submissions in May 2026. The first awards ceremony is planned to take place in Abuja in November 2026.

This initiative is expected to significantly influence how students approach their final year projects and research. It aims to shift the focus from merely fulfilling graduation requirements to actively seeking innovative solutions to real-world problems, thereby enhancing the quality of research output from Nigerian universities and contributing to national development.