The Federal Government has unveiled the Tertiary Institutions National Laureate Prize, an initiative aimed at recognising and rewarding outstanding academic research, innovation and intellectual excellence across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
The prize, which has an annual pool of approximately N365 million, is designed to promote a stronger culture of scholarship and innovation among students and researchers in the country.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the initiative was being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD).
According to him, the award will recognise outstanding undergraduate dissertations, master’s theses and PhD research with strong potential for commercialisation, industrial application and national development.
Alausa said the initiative would provide national recognition for exceptional academic achievements while encouraging students and researchers to develop innovative solutions capable of contributing to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
He, however, stressed that the credibility of the prize would depend on a transparent, competitive and merit-driven selection process.
The minister said the process must be insulated from political or personal influence to ensure that only deserving academic works and researchers emerge as laureates.
He added that the initiative was part of efforts to strengthen research, innovation and academic excellence within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
