FG launches 2026 National Laureate Programme for academic research

Nigeria's Federal Government has initiated the 2026 National Laureate Programme, a significant endeavor aimed at fostering academic excellence and innovation within its tertiary institutions. This program, backed by an annual research prize fund of ₦365 million, seeks to reward exceptional undergraduate dissertations, master’s theses, and doctoral research.

The initiative underscores the government's commitment to bolstering Nigeria's research ecosystem. Spokesperson Ita Ekpenyong stated that the program is designed to position scholarship as a key driver of national development. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, inaugurated the program, which will identify and reward outstanding research from accredited universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other eligible institutions.

To prepare for the 2026 edition, institutions are required to form internal selection committees. Each university can nominate up to 18 research works, with equivalent submissions accepted from other tertiary institutions. These entries will be evaluated across six thematic areas: Agriculture, Teaching Innovation, Medicine and Health Sciences, Engineering, Science and Technology, Law, and Arts and Social Sciences. Winners in the undergraduate category will receive ₦35 million, master’s students ₦50 million, and doctoral candidates ₦100 million. Additionally, 15 Thematic Laureate Awards of ₦12 million each will be presented. A crucial requirement for all nominated works is submission to the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank for a National Document Number, ensuring research integrity and proper documentation.

“

The initiative underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s research ecosystem, promoting innovation and positioning scholarship as a driver of national development.