🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Federal Government establishes national laureate committee, unveils ₦365 million annual prize for academic excellence
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
The Federal Government has inaugurated the Tertiary Institutions National Laureate Committee to launch a ₦365 million annual prize program. This initiative aims to reward outstanding academic research, innovation, and research commercialization in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, stated that the National Laureate Programme is a strategic intervention to reposition academic excellence as a national priority and inspire young researchers to develop solutions for the country’s development challenges. The program seeks to transform Nigeria’s reward system by giving scholarly achievements national recognition. The committee, chaired by Emeritus Prof. Abubakar Sambo, President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, is tasked with developing transparent eligibility criteria and overseeing the selection process for the inaugural National Laureate Awards in November 2026. The awards include ₦35 million for the best undergraduate dissertation, ₦50 million for the best master’s thesis, and ₦100 million for the best doctoral thesis. Additionally, there are six National Laureate Excellence Awards of ₦30 million each in various fields, including Medicine and Health Sciences, Engineering and Technology, and Agriculture. One special honor will be named the Dr. Stella Adadevoh Excellence Award in Medicine and Medical Innovation. The program is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s higher education sector by promoting research excellence and encouraging the
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Must ReadEuropean development finance institutions have expanded their investment in Nigeria, announcing a new €20 million Nigeria Country Window and additional financing for infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, renewable energy, and small businesses. This announcement was made by the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS following the 10th Nigeria-European Union Business Forum in Abuja. European financiers stated that these new investments demonstrate growing confidence in Nigeria’s economic reforms and long-term growth prospects. The European Investment Bank reported signing over €500 million in financing for Nigeria in the past year across public and private sectors, with more investments expected. Loic Le Ruyet, Senior Investment Officer, Corporate Division, European Investment Bank, noted that the bank's portfolio includes sustainable transport, healthcare manufacturing, agriculture, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. The €20 million Nigeria Country Window, jointly implemented by FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, and the European Development Finance Institutions Management Company, is part of the European Union’s AgriFI and ElectriFI blended finance programs. This facility aims to channel financing to small and medium-sized enterprises in agribusiness and rural electrification, while mobilizing additional private capital. Edilberto Jose Baquero of FMO highlighted that this financing model addr
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the dredging of 28 additional primary drainage channels following recent flooding across the state. Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stated that recent heavy rainfall was an extreme weather event that overwhelmed drainage infrastructure, causing temporary flooding in areas like Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikeja, Gbagada, Mushin, and Mafoluku. Wahab noted that Lagos faces complex hydrological challenges due to its extensive network of lagoons, rivers, creeks, and tidal water bodies, which slow stormwater discharge during high tide. He assured residents of continuous monitoring of drainage infrastructure and flood-prone locations, with emergency response agencies supporting affected communities. The commissioner urged residents to support flood control efforts by avoiding indiscriminate refuse dumping, illegal wetland reclamation, and construction on drainage alignments, warning that such activities worsen flooding. He highlighted that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of rainfall in coastal cities like Lagos. Wahab advised motorists to avoid driving through flooded roads and urged residents in flood-prone areas to comply with weather advisories. Recent heavy rainfall led to widespread outrage, with residents criticizing the government over recurring flooding that submerged major roads, stranded motorists, disrupted commercial activities, and left homes underwater across
Must ReadThe Federal Government aims to generate ₦2.5 trillion in independent revenue by 2026, as disclosed by Charles Abana, the acting Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission. This target follows the Commission's monitoring of approximately ₦1.84 trillion in independent revenue generated by Ministries, Departments and Agencies as of September 2025. Abana stated that efforts are being intensified to improve transparency in revenue reporting, ensure timely remittance of operating surpluses into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and eliminate revenue leakages. The Commission has also updated its Operating Surplus Calculation Template to align with current fiscal realities and the Finance Act 2020, with the template now fully automated for improved efficiency. Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, called for stronger collaboration among fiscal and oversight institutions to enhance transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public finances, emphasizing the Fiscal Responsibility Commission's critical role in Nigeria's fiscal governance framework.