Mary Brenda Akoda wins 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation

Mary Brenda Akoda has won the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation (NPSI) for her development of GenScan AI. The technology uses artificial intelligence to reconstruct MRI images, potentially reducing scan acquisition times by up to 90% without the need for new hardware.

Sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), the prize saw a record 237 entries this year. Akoda is the first woman and first millennial to win the prize as an individual recipient. The judges noted that GenScan AI’s ability to improve scanner utilization and reduce patient waiting times makes it highly relevant for healthcare systems in resource-constrained environments.

Other finalists included the Ewa DX Smart Bra Diagnostic Device by Tevishola Bolari and MedBrain, an AI-assisted triage tool for pediatric conditions in Ethiopia developed by Paul Ricard and Pau.