Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa
Federal Government has on Tuesday inaugurated the National Laureate Prize Committee, a landmark initiative designed to promote excellence in research, innovation and academic scholarship across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
Speaking during the inauguration in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the initiative as a strategic investment in the nation’s intellectual capital, stressing that groundbreaking research and innovation are essential to Nigeria’s technological advancement and economic development.
Quoting the popular saying that “what is worth doing at all is worth doing well,” the minister said the Federal Government was determined to back the initiative with the full weight of government support to ensure its success.
As part of the National Laureate Prize, the government announced substantial annual cash rewards for outstanding academic research. The best undergraduate dissertation will receive ₦35 million, the best master’s thesis ₦50 million, while the best doctoral (PhD) thesis will attract a ₦100 million prize.
In addition, six special prizes—two each for undergraduate, master’s and PhD categories—will carry ₦30 million each. Further subject-specific awards worth ₦30 million each will recognize exceptional research in Medicine and Health Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Law, Arts and Social Sciences, Agriculture, and Teaching Innovation.
According to the minister, the generous prizes are intended to inspire healthy competition among researchers and encourage Nigerian scholars to develop innovative solutions capable of transforming the country.
“Their innovations and inventions will impact tens, if not hundreds, of millions of people. Countries that have developed are those that identified, nurtured and celebrated their brightest minds,” he said.
The committee will be chaired by Professor Abubakar Sani Sambo, President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, alongside distinguished academics and representatives of key regulatory agencies. Other members include Professor Sulaiman A. Nwokolo, Professor Tolulope Ariyomo, Professor Francis Mba, Dr. Obianuju Anibogu, Dr. Erinze Orisakwe, Dr. Paz Ekiribo and other representatives from relevant education agencies. Richard Falaiye will serve as Secretary of the committee.
The minister disclosed that both the administrative and financial secretariats of the committee would be domiciled at the National Board for Technology Incubation and Research Development (NBTI), which will also provide logistical support for the committee’s operations.
Dr. Alausa noted that the National Laureate Prize complements other education sector reforms such as the Student Venture Capital Grant, aimed at unlocking the creativity and entrepreneurial potential of young Nigerians.
He attributed the initiative to the unwavering support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he described as a firm believer in education as the bedrock of national development.
“Today, in the education sector, we have the strongest political will and unprecedented support to transform Nigeria through education, research and technology,” the minister said before formally inaugurating the committee.
Responding on behalf of members, the committee chairman, Professor Abubakar Sani Sambo, thanked the Federal Government for the confidence reposed in the committee and pledged to discharge its responsibilities with integrity, transparency and fairness.
He described the establishment of the National Laureate Prize Committee as a defining moment in Nigeria’s educational history, saying the initiative would strengthen the link between academic research and national development.
“We are not merely creating another award. We are laying the foundation for a culture of excellence that connects rigorous academic research with the practical needs of the Nigerian economy,” he said.
Professor Sambo assured the minister that the committee would uphold transparency, inclusiveness, commercial viability and impact-driven assessment in selecting award recipients, adding that members would strictly adhere to their terms of reference.
He expressed optimism that the National Laureate Prize would position Nigeria as a hub of innovation, research excellence and technological advancement while inspiring a new generation of scholars to contribute meaningfully to national development.
