Nigeria launches 2026 National Laureate Programme for tertiary institutions

The Federal Government of Nigeria announced the start of the 2026 National Laureate Programme, a new platform to recognise outstanding student research, innovation and scholarly excellence across accredited universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, monotechnics and other tertiary institutions. Spokesperson Ita Ekpenyong said the programme, overseen by the National Laureate Committee and inaugurated by Minister of Education Dr Tunji Alausa, is funded with an annual prize pool of ₦365 million and reflects the government’s commitment to a knowledge‑driven economy.

Participating institutions are required to establish Institutional Laureate Selection Committees and submit nominations of up to 18 research works – six undergraduate dissertations, six master’s theses and six doctoral theses – for evaluation. The initiative aims to strengthen Nigeria’s research ecosystem, promote innovation, encourage commercialisation of research outputs and position scholarship as a strategic national asset.