The Federal Government has unveiled a new national research award programme that will reward outstanding academic work by Nigerian tertiary institution students, with ₦365 million set aside annually for the initiative.
The programme, known as the Nigeria National Laureate Annual Prize Programme, is designed to recognise exceptional research, innovation and research commercialisation across accredited tertiary institutions in the country.
The Federal Government inaugurated a 12-member Tertiary Institutions National Laureate Committee in Abuja on June 30, 2026, to oversee the implementation of the programme.
Undergraduates, Master’s and PhD Students Eligible
The National Laureate Programme will cover research conducted at three major academic levels:
- Undergraduate dissertations
- Master’s theses
- Doctoral/PhD theses
Under the award structure announced by the Federal Government, outstanding undergraduate research will attract a minimum prize of ₦5 million, while exceptional Master’s and doctoral research will be eligible for higher awards.
Master’s research winners are expected to receive ₦10 million, while doctoral research winners can receive up to ₦20 million, alongside national recognition for their academic achievements.
Six Major Excellence Awards
The broader annual prize pool is estimated at approximately ₦365 million, with six major excellence awards carrying ₦30 million each, according to details of the programme released following the inauguration of the committee.
The awards are intended to encourage students and young researchers to pursue research capable of addressing Nigeria’s economic, social, scientific and technological challenges.
FG Targets Research Commercialisation
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the initiative is aimed at changing the way academic excellence is recognised in Nigeria by placing research, innovation and scholarly achievements among the country’s nationally celebrated accomplishments.
The government also wants research findings to move beyond academic publications and contribute to practical solutions, innovation and economic development.
The programme will therefore place emphasis on research with potential for innovation, impact and commercialisation.
What the Announcement Means for Nigerian Undergraduates
For Nigerian undergraduates, particularly final-year students preparing dissertations and research projects, the programme could provide a significant incentive to produce high-quality, original research.
Students whose projects address important national problems and demonstrate strong methodology, originality, innovation and practical relevance may have an opportunity to compete for national recognition and financial rewards once the application and selection guidelines are formally released.
The Federal Government has indicated that the committee will establish the rules and framework for selecting beneficiaries of the awards.
Another Major Research Funding Initiative
The National Laureate Programme comes amid a broader push by the Federal Government to increase funding for research and innovation.
In June 2026, the government, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), approved ₦7.5 billion in research grants for 174 projects across Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The approved grants, ranging from about ₦13.6 million to ₦49.97 million per project, cover areas including health and social welfare, agriculture, science and engineering, energy, renewable energy, defence technology and security studies.
The Federal Government has also approved the establishment of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF), designed to provide a framework for sustained investment in research, science and technology, with a proposed funding capacity of up to $500 million annually.
Key Points Students Should Know
Programme: Nigeria National Laureate Annual Prize Programme
Annual prize pool: About ₦365 million
Eligible research levels: Undergraduate, Master’s and PhD
Undergraduate award: Minimum ₦5 million
Master’s award: ₦10 million
Doctoral award: Up to ₦20 million
Focus: Academic excellence, research, innovation and commercialisation
Coverage: Accredited Nigerian tertiary institutions
Implementation: Tertiary Institutions National Laureate Committee
Students interested in the programme should watch for the official application guidelines, eligibility criteria, submission requirements and application portal when released by the Federal Government.This version separates the ₦365m National Laureate prize from other FG research funding schemes, which is important for publication accuracy.