Where Nigeria's brightest minds become national treasures.
A prestigious institution-led national prize identifying, rewarding and elevating outstanding dissertations, theses, research and commercially viable ideas from universities, polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education and other accredited tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
Nigeria's future will be written by those who dare to discover.
Across Nigeria's universities, polytechnics and colleges, a generation of brilliant minds is producing research that can reshape industries, save lives and propel our economy forward. Yet too often, this work remains hidden in dissertations and journals.
The National Laureate Programme is changing that — placing academic excellence at the centre of national aspiration, and giving research the visibility, prestige and reward of our most celebrated achievements.
— Research should be celebrated like entertainment. Innovators should be national figures.
Creating Nigeria's most prestigious academic recognition platform
Six pillars guide every decision, every prize and every cycle of the programme.
An unprecedented commitment to academic excellence.
Awarded annually through 18 thematic laureates across Undergraduate, Master’s and Doctoral levels. Three of the laureates receive the Star Prizes, while the remaining 15 receive ₦12 million each.
Six thematic areas. Three academic levels. Eighteen laureates.
Across the six approved thematic areas, one national thematic laureate is selected at each of the Undergraduate, Master’s and Doctoral levels. Three of the 18 laureates proceed to receive the Star Prizes, while the remaining 15 receive ₦12 million each.
Open to every accredited tertiary institution in Nigeria.
Universities may nominate up to six Undergraduate dissertations, six Master’s theses and six Doctoral theses. Polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education and other accredited tertiary institutions may submit their equivalent outstanding academic works across the same six thematic areas.
See full eligibilityUniversity degrees and their equivalents are equally recognised.
The Programme is open not only to universities, but also to polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education, military institutions and other accredited tertiary institutions. Undergraduate dissertations, Master’s theses and Doctoral theses include their recognised equivalents within those institutions.
Students
Ensure that your work is outstanding, properly submitted to NERD and assigned an NDN. You may then confidently bring it to your Institution Laureate Selection Committee.
Academic Staff
Supervisors, co-supervisors and Heads of Department are encouraged to showcase exceptional student works to the Institution Laureate Selection Committee for assessment.
A programme that compounds for the nation.
From institutional selection to the national stage.
The Dr Stella Adadevoh Excellence Award in Medicine and Medical Sciences
Named in honour of the Nigerian physician whose courage and sacrifice protected a nation, this award is conferred upon the laureate whose research and conduct most embody integrity, national service and the protection of the public good.
It is the highest honour the National Laureate Programme bestows — and a permanent reminder that scholarship is, at its best, service.
Read the StoryFrom the Secretariat
Could your research change Nigeria?
Students, supervisors, co-supervisors and Heads of Department are encouraged to bring exceptional works to the attention of their Institution Laureate Selection Committee. Only institutions may formally enter selected works into the competition.