By Chioma Obinagwam
The Nigeria Prize for Science will not be awarded this year, as the Advisory Board announced that none of the 112 entries met the high standards required for the prestigious award.
At a press briefing in Lagos, Professor Barth Nnaji, Chairman of the Advisory Board, explained the decision, stating, “To lower the bar would be to betray the trust of the public and diminish the legacy of the Prize itself.” He emphasized the Board’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the selection process and upholding the Prize’s reputation for rewarding only the finest scientific achievements.
Nnaji commended the efforts of all participants, noting, “The Nigeria Prize exists to celebrate only the finest achievements, work that embodies originality, withstands scrutiny, and elevates scientific discourse. Where these qualities are absent, we cannot, in good conscience, bestow the Prize.” He urged Nigerian scientists to view the verdict as motivation to strive for greater innovation and excellence.
Confiance News gathered that this marks the fifth time the Prize has not been awarded, with similar outcomes in 2005, 2007, 2011–2016, and 2021. Nnaji reassured researchers that the high standards should inspire, not discourage, future participation.
The 2025 theme, “Innovations in ICT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Digital Technologies for Development,” will be retained for the 2026 edition to encourage broader participation, particularly in AI. The Advisory Board also introduced the panel of judges, led by Dr. Omobola Johnson, a Senior Partner at TLcom Capital and former Nigerian Minister of Communication Technology. The panel includes Professor Collins Udanor, an AI and data analytics expert from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Professor Aminu Muhammad Bui, an AI scholar from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
Now in its 21st year, The Nigeria Prize for Science continues to champion groundbreaking contributions to scientific discourse and national development.
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