FG opens entries for N365m national laureate prize

The federal government has opened entries for the national laureate prize, an annual initiative designed to recognise and reward outstanding academic research, innovation and intellectual excellence in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

Tunji Alausa, minister of education, announced the opening of entries on Tuesday, unveiling a total prize pool of N365 million for the programme.

Alausa said the initiative was introduced as part of the government’s commitment to supporting student excellence and creating a national platform for exceptional academic work.

The prize is open to students and researchers across accredited universities, polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education and other eligible tertiary institutions in the country.

According to the minister, the programme will recognise outstanding works across six thematic areas: science, engineering and technology; medicine and health sciences; arts and social sciences; agriculture; law; and teaching innovation.

At each of the three academic levels — undergraduate, master’s and doctoral — three national thematic laureates will be selected in each of the six fields, producing 18 laureates in total.

Three of the laureates will receive the star prizes, while the other outstanding candidates will receive awards under their respective thematic categories.

Eligible submissions include undergraduate dissertations or recognised equivalents, master’s theses and doctoral theses, as well as equivalent research works from polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education and similar institutions.