Nigeria's premier recognition of academic excellence
A Federal Ministry of Education initiative — in partnership with the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) — repositioning research as a national priority.
Our story
Conceived to address a long-standing gap between Nigerian academic output and national visibility, the National Laureate Programme was established as a federal initiative to identify, celebrate and reward the country's most outstanding research, innovation and commercially viable ideas.
By bringing together government, industry, academia and the international community, the programme seeks to make academic excellence a permanent feature of the Nigerian aspiration — and to ensure that research, like our finest cultural and sporting achievements, receives the recognition it deserves.
Vision
To make Nigerian tertiary institutions the engine room of an innovation-led knowledge economy.
Mission
Identify, celebrate, reward and commercialise the finest research produced in Nigeria each year.
Objectives
Elevate research visibility, encourage commercialisation, develop talent, and strengthen national capacity.
"The National Laureate Programme is more than an award. It is a declaration — that Nigeria values its scholars, believes in its research, and intends to build its future on the work of its brightest minds."
— Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, Honourable Minister of Education
Governance & Partnership
Federal Ministry of Education (FME)
Programme owner and convening authority.
Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD)
Research design, evaluation methodology and academic standards.
Governance
Independent multidisciplinary panel of laureates and leaders.
View governanceSecretariat
Day-to-day administration, communications and stakeholder relations.