ALAUSA UNVEILS ₦365M NATIONAL PRIZE FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has unveiled a ₦365 million annual National Laureate Prize to recognise outstanding academic research, innovation and intellectual excellence in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
Alausa announced the initiative in Abuja, saying it was designed to encourage students and researchers to develop solutions to Nigeria’s developmental challenges.
He said the prize would recognise exceptional research at undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels, particularly works with potential for practical application and commercialisation.
The minister also announced the Dr. Stella Adadevoh Prize for Medicine and Medical Innovation, named after the late physician who played a key role in Nigeria’s response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak.
Alausa said the selection process would be transparent and merit-based, stressing that Nigeria needed an education system that converts research and innovation into practical solutions and economic value.
The National Laureate Prize Committee said universities, polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of education across the country would be eligible to participate.