₦365 Million Annual Prize Fund

Prize Categories

Eighteen thematic laureates are selected across six approved thematic areas and three academic levels. Three of them become the Undergraduate, Master's and Doctoral Star Prize winners, while the remaining 15 receive Thematic Excellence Awards of ₦12 million each.

Approved Prize Architecture

Two layers of national recognition

The Programme combines Thematic Excellence Awards with three Star Prizes. The Star Prize winners are selected from the thematic laureates and are not drawn from a separate competition.

Prize arithmetic

Eighteen laureates. One ₦365 million prize pool.

15 × ₦12M
Thematic Excellence Awards
₦185M
Three Star Prizes combined
₦365M
Total annual prize fund

The Programme recognises 18 unique national thematic laureates. One laureate at each academic level is elevated to the relevant Star Prize. The remaining 15 laureates receive ₦12 million each.

Thematic Excellence Awards

Six thematic areas across three academic levels

One national thematic laureate is selected in each thematic area at Undergraduate, Master's and Doctoral levels, producing 18 national thematic laureates in all.

Institutional nominations

Up to 18 outstanding works from each institution

Following internal evaluation, each institution may nominate up to 18 outstanding research works: six Undergraduate dissertations, six Master's theses and six Doctoral theses, one in each thematic area at each level.

6

Undergraduate

Six dissertations or their recognised equivalents, one from each thematic area.

6

Master's

Six theses or their recognised equivalents, one from each thematic area.

6

Doctoral

Six theses or their recognised equivalents, one from each thematic area.

Equivalent qualifications are expressly included

Universities, polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education, military institutions and other accredited tertiary institutions are all eligible to participate. References to Undergraduate, Master's and Doctoral works include their recognised equivalents within polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education and other accredited tertiary institutions.

Institutional engagement

Exceptional works should be brought forward

Students

Students who believe that their dissertation, thesis, project or recognised equivalent is outstanding and of the highest quality are encouraged to bring it to the attention of their Institution Laureate Selection Committee for assessment and possible selection.

Academic staff

Supervisors, co-supervisors, Heads of Department, Deans and other academic leaders are encouraged to showcase exceptional student works to their Institution Laureate Selection Committee for independent assessment and review.

Three-tier evaluation

From institutional selection to national determination

The approved process moves through Institution, Regional and National evaluation levels.

01
Institution Laureate Selection Committee

Conducts internal assessment and submits up to 18 approved institutional entries.

02
Regional Evaluation

Each geopolitical zone evaluates institutional entries and forwards 18 zonal winners.

03
National Evaluation

The National Laureate Committee determines the 18 thematic laureates and three Star Prize winners.

Ready to understand the participation pathway?

Learn how institutions participate, how outstanding works become eligible and how selected entries progress.

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