Professor Barth Nnaji, Chairman of the Advisory Board of The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation, has received a record-breaking 237 entries for the 2026 edition of the prestigious prize.
The entries were formally handed over to the Advisory Board at a press conference in Lagos, marking the beginning of the adjudication process for this year’s edition.
According to BusinessDay, the 2026 submissions represent the highest number of entries received since the prize was established in 2004. The theme for this year is “Innovations in ICT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Digital Technologies for Development.”
Speaking during the handover, Professor Nnaji described the process as a decisive stage in the search for Nigeria’s most innovative scientific minds. He emphasized that the credibility of the prize rests on strict standards of excellence and a commitment to identifying innovations that can translate scientific insight into real socio-economic impact.
Professor Nnaji also noted that the decision not to award a winner in the 2025 edition should not be seen as a rejection of Nigerian innovators, but as a reaffirmation of the prize’s high standards.
“Our refusal to award the prize in 2025 was not a dismissal of the hard work of Nigerian innovators; rather, it reinforces that The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation holds a gold standard of excellence,” he stated.
For Professor Nnaji, the purpose of the prize goes beyond recognition. It is about advancing solutions that speak directly to Nigeria’s development needs, from digital health technologies for rural communities to the use of artificial intelligence in preserving cultural heritage and indigenous languages.
The 2026 edition will focus on innovations with strong evidence of novelty, relevance, depth, scalability, and demonstrable impact. This aligns with Professor Nnaji’s long-standing belief that science, engineering, and technology must be connected to practical solutions that improve lives and strengthen national development.
The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation, now in its 22nd year, is valued at $100,000 and is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most respected science awards. The winner of the 2026 edition is expected to be announced at a world press conference in September 2026.
