- Safiu Kehinde
The Federal Government has unveiled the Tertiary Institutions National Laureate Prize with a total of N365 million annual prize fund up for grab.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education announced the opening of the laureate prize in a statement issued on his official X handle on Thursday.
According to Alausa, the National Laureate Prize is a new national platform to celebrate and reward outstanding research, innovation and intellectual excellence across our universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
The minister gave a breakdown N365 million prize fund which he declared open to students and researchers across every accredited tertiary institution in Nigeria.
‘Backed by an initial annual prize fund of ₦365 million, the National Laureate Prize will award ₦35 million for the Undergraduate Star Prize, ₦50 million for the Master’s Star Prize and ₦100 million for the Doctoral Star Prize, alongside ₦180 million for 15 Thematic Excellence Prizes, valued at ₦12 million each.
‘The Prize is open to students and researchers across every accredited tertiary institution in Nigeria, providing a truly national platform to identify and reward our brightest minds and most impactful research.’ He said.
While recalling his meeting with some stakeholders yesterday, Alausa noted that the National Laureate Prize will feature special awards across critical fields, including Engineering and Technology, Medicine and Health Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Agriculture, Law and Teaching Innovation.
‘Yesterday, I held a press briefing alongside members of the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) National Laureate team, where we formally announced the Prize, outlined its vision and structure, and answered questions from members of the media on its implementation, selection process and long-term objectives.
‘In addition to the Star Prizes, the National Laureate Prize will feature special awards across critical fields, including Engineering and Technology, Medicine and Health Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Agriculture, Law and Teaching Innovation.
‘We have also introduced the Dr. Stella Adadevoh Prize for Medicine and Medical Innovation, a special award established in honour of Dr Adadevoh’s extraordinary courage and contribution to our nation.’ He said.
The minister maintained that the initiative, jointly implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education and NERD, will operate through a transparent, competitive and merit-driven process that puts academic excellence and impact first.
He attributed the establishment of the prize award to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda which, according to hm, showed Tinubu’s commitment to investing in Nigeria’s human capital.
‘This initiative reflects the clear direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, under the Renewed Hope Agenda: to build a Nigeria where knowledge, skills, research and innovation are deliberately harnessed to create opportunities, strengthen our economy and improve the lives of our people.
‘The President has continued to demonstrate his commitment to investing in Nigeria’s human capital and giving our young people the platforms they need to compete, innovate and succeed.
‘Through the National Laureate Prize, we are translating that vision into another tangible opportunity for Nigerian students and researchers.
‘Our goal is to build an education system that does not simply produce certificates, but produces solutions, innovations, enterprises and measurable national value.’ He added.