By Ojoma Akor
A renowned Nigerian engineer and former Minister of Power, Professor Barth O. Nnaji, says the Nigeria Prize for Science (NPS) is a rallying point for thinkers, researchers, and innovators who can help reshape Nigeria’s technological advancement and overall well-being.
He stated this at the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science Roadshow in Abuja, organized by the Nigeria Prize for Science (NPS), in partnership with Ventures Park. The prize is sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG). The theme of the 2026 competition cycle is ‘Innovations in ICT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Digital Technologies for Development.’
The former minister, who is also the chairman of the Nigerian Prize for Science Advisory Board, highlighted that the country urgently needs scientific breakthroughs to ensure its sustainability.
He said, “At a time like this, when our communities are confronting food shortages, when our industries need reinvention, when our health systems demand innovative solutions to disease control, and when the environment is changing faster than we can react, when the world is relying on technological innovation for advancement and growth, one truth has become undeniable:
“We need innovation not as a luxury, but as a lifeline. We need knowledge that solves problems, ideas that spark transformation, and research that directly improves lives and livelihoods. It is within this context that the Nigeria Prize for Science becomes a national rallying point for thinkers, researchers, and innovators who can reshape our technological advancement and general well-being.”
‘Boosts innovation in healthcare, environment, and others’
He explained that since its establishment, the prize has stimulated Nigerians’ potential to contribute to knowledge and fundamental advances across various aspects of life, such as agriculture, energy, healthcare, and environmental protection.
He said the NLNG established the prize in 2004 to stimulate interest in scientific research and the development of solutions to social problems, and to create tangible improvements in the everyday lives of Nigerians.
He said it does this by highlighting and awarding outstanding scientific research, endeavours, and innovations with an annual cash prize of $100,000.
“This prize is evaluative. It recognises solutions that have achieved discernible impact, that endure, scale, and translate into measurable benefit for our society. Every year, submissions are reviewed with rigorous standards. The judging process is guided by evidence, functionality, applicability, demonstrating impact and long-term value,” he said.
2026 Nigeria Prize for Science
Asked what inspired the theme for next year’s prize, Prof. Nnaji said, “everybody in the world is aware of artificial intelligence driving a whole lot of innovation, and we would like for Nigeria to be a beneficiary of the innovation. That’s why we chose this year to engage researchers and innovators on breakthroughs in artificial intelligence.”
Prof. Nnaji said that the standard is non-negotiable, as excellence is in this process.
He said that in the 2025 cycle, 112 submissions were received, adding that each entry underwent a multi-layered evaluation, including academic track record, quality, recognitions, uniqueness, innovation, impact, commercialization, soundness, and patents.
However, he added that the 2025 edition produced no winner. “Some may hear this and think of absence or failure, but for us, it represents something important. It is an opportunity to dig deeper. It also shows our commitment to scientific excellence is rational and real,” he said.
Prof. Nnaji said the scientific ecosystem in Nigeria is maturing, noting that “across institutions, we are seeing improvements in computational capability, data science integration, materials engineering, genetics research, environmental modelling, medical devices, bio-innovation, energy storage systems, and the list goes on.”
He said that these advancements must, however, increasingly produce practicable, impactful, and valuable outcomes.
He also said that the advisory board’s responsibility is not only to evaluate work but to stimulate quality output.
“To that end, we encourage: deeper collaboration between universities and industry, stronger linkages between research and commercialization pathways, more rigorous peer-review culture locally, and broader interdisciplinary research efforts that can address complex systems-level problems. There is a significant gap between research and commercialization. This is something we, as the advisory board, intend to explore further to ensure the sustained impact of works recognized by the prize.
“We are aware that across universities, research centres, and innovation hubs, ideas are germinating that can improve overall quality of life,” he said.
He further said that the roadshow offers researchers and innovators the motivation to launch out on a national level and to get recognised for their novelty.
“Science is slow, but its impact is profound. The Nigeria Prize for Science will continue to uphold standards that stretch us. When solutions are robust, they will be acknowledged. And I do not doubt that the breakthroughs that will eventually lift our nation onto global scientific stages are already in progress, perhaps in this very room,” he added.
Dr. Sophia Horsfall, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, NLNG, said that there is a need for more hands, more minds, and more passion in the science and technology space, adding that the Nigeria Prize for Science is a platform designed to ignite that transformation.
She said that for more than twenty years, the prize has recognised Nigerian scientists whose work goes beyond theory and actually solves real problems, benefiting humanity.
She said, “From innovations in healthcare, to energy generation and conservation, agriculture, climate change, and optimisation of artificial intelligence, the Nigeria Prize for Science has consistently celebrated and rewarded excellent research findings.”
Why the prize is essential
She said it is one of the few prizes in the country and the most prestigious in sub-Saharan Africa, placing science at the centre of national conversation.
She explained that the prize is essential because “science shapes our world and lives through how it impacts the food we eat, the energy that powers our homes and industries, the health systems that protect our families, and the tools that help businesses thrive. It determines our competitiveness as a nation and our ability to create jobs, improve education, strengthen infrastructure, and protect our environment.”
She said every breakthrough in science touches real lives in real ways, aligning with NLNG’s vision to improve lives sustainably.
Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, Manager Corporate Communication and Sustainable Development, NLNG, said the Nigeria Prize for Science exists to shine a spotlight on people who are working not just for recognition, but for results that make life better for millions.
She said, ” And if there is one thing we know, it is that Nigerians have the talent, creativity, and determination to deliver breakthroughs that can shift the future of our country. With the Nigeria Prize for Science now entering a new and expanded phase, we have an opportunity to inspire even greater participation in this sector. We need fresh curiosity, bold thinking, and deeper involvement from every corner of our scientific and technological landscape. The challenges before us require more than isolated breakthroughs. They require a collective effort anchored in impact, relevance, and sustainability.”
General Manager Ventures Park, Mrs Ifeanyi Iloh, said they are happy to partner with NLNG on the prize.
She said, “At Ventures Park, we believe that the future of Africa will be built through creativity and innovation. For us, innovation is not a one-time event—it is a culture, it is a lifestyle, a way of thinking, and a continuous process of discovery, experimentation, and bold ideas. “Today, as we stand alongside NLNG, we reaffirm our shared commitment to nurturing ideas that can shape the future of our nation.”
