FG Launches 2026 National Laureate Programme
… Sets Aside ₦365m to Reward Outstanding Academic Research
The Federal Government has commenced the 2026 Tertiary Institutions National Laureate Programme, an initiative aimed at recognising and rewarding exceptional academic research produced by students in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The programme, described as the inaugural edition of what is expected to become the country’s premier academic recognition platform, is designed to identify and celebrate outstanding undergraduate dissertations, master’s theses and doctoral research across accredited universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, monotechnics, military institutions and other eligible tertiary institutions.
According to the National Laureate Committee, the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting research excellence, strengthening Nigeria’s knowledge economy and positioning scholarship as a key driver of national development.
The programme, inaugurated under the leadership of the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, is backed by an annual research prize fund of ₦365 million.
Under the award structure, winners in the undergraduate category will receive ₦35 million, master’s category winners will earn ₦50 million, while doctoral research winners will receive ₦100 million. In addition, 15 Thematic Laureate Awards worth ₦12 million each will be presented to other outstanding researchers.
The National Laureate Committee has directed all eligible tertiary institutions to immediately establish Institutional Laureate Selection Committees made up of experienced academics with proven research credentials and integrity. Institutions are expected to submit the names of committee members, including the chairman and secretary, before commencing internal evaluations.
Each participating institution will be permitted to nominate up to 18 research works across six thematic areas, including Agriculture, Teaching Innovation, Medicine and Health Sciences, Engineering, Science and Technology, Law, Arts and Social Sciences.
The committee also stressed that every nominated research work must first be uploaded to the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) and assigned a valid National Document Number (NDN) before it can qualify for consideration.
Selection of winners will follow a three-stage evaluation process comprising institutional, regional and national assessments to ensure transparency, merit and fairness.
Professional bodies across relevant disciplines have also been invited to nominate distinguished scholars for appointment to Regional Laureate Selection Committees that will oversee independent evaluations across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
The committee said institutions and professional associations are expected to conclude the constitution of their committees by August 15, 2026, while submission of institutional entries will close on August 31, 2026.
Chairman of the National Laureate Committee, Emeritus Professor Abubakar S. Sambo (OON), described the programme as a landmark investment in Nigeria’s intellectual capital, saying it would promote world-class research, inspire innovation and recognise scholars whose work has the potential to transform the country’s future.
He urged eligible institutions and professional associations to participate actively to ensure the success of the maiden edition of the National Laureate Programme.
