The 2025 Nigeria Prize for Science has concluded with no winner, after the advisory board determined that none of the submissions met the award’s rigorous standards.
Professor Barth Nnaji, Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Prize, announced the outcome in Lagos, noting that the 2025 theme focused on “Innovations in ICT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Digital Technologies for Development.”
The Prize attracted 112 entries from across the world, of which only 54 met basic requirements. The board shortlisted ten, and eventually ratified four finalists for further evaluation.
Despite the researchers’ efforts, the board found that the final submissions lacked the soundness, usability, and real-world impact required for the prestigious award. “Some entries failed to address all three thematic areas, while others showed weaknesses in practicality, operability, and field testing,” Nnaji explained.
The advisory board and panel of judges agreed that declaring no winner preserved the integrity of the Prize and reinforced its credibility. “This decision upholds the reputation of the Nigeria Prize for Science,” he stressed.
Endowed in 2004 with $100,000, the Prize was created to stimulate scientific growth and the practical application of technology, particularly solutions to Nigeria’s pressing challenges. Nnaji also commended advisory board members, including Dr Nike Akande and Professor Yusuf Abubakar, and praised NLNG for sustaining sponsorship despite economic challenges.
Because there was no winner in 2025, the board announced that the theme would carry over to the 2026 cycle.
Dr Sophia Horsfall, NLNG General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, emphasised that the absence of a winner strengthened the Prize’s credibility. She said the award inspires researchers to develop practical solutions that impact society.
“We live in a time of profound change, where digital technologies and AI reshape societies and industries,” Horsfall said. She noted that the 2025 theme reflects NLNG’s recognition of these fields’ role in Nigeria’s sustainable development.
The 112 submissions, she added, reflect the creativity, resilience, and ambition of Nigerian scientists. Each entry represents a pathway to improving lives and strengthening national development capacity.
Horsfall explained that the Prize, especially since its 2016 refresh, continues to ignite scientific inquiry and encourage Nigerian researchers to adapt global technologies to local realities. She urged participants to enhance fieldwork, operability, and the commercial viability of their innovations.
“True innovation must move from theory to practice, from paper to communities, and from ideas to real-life impact,” she said. Sophia also cited Rwanda’s transformation into a hub for digital innovation as an example of how sustained investment in science can redefine a nation’s future.
Horsfall highlighted how digital tools already improve Nigeria’s agricultural sector by boosting farmers’ yields and livelihoods. She said the Prize creates a national platform for shaping policy, inspiring young people, and motivating researchers to set higher standards.
“To all the brilliant minds who submitted work, you are champions of progress,” she added. “The breadth of your submissions proves that Nigerian talent is vast and capable of shaping the future.”
Regarding the $100,000 Prize fund, Horsfall said NLNG would use it to boost awareness of the Nigeria Prize for Science and encourage broader participation. She called on the media to support the Prize with robust publicity to attract groundbreaking ideas.
She concluded, stating that investing in science is equivalent to investing in Nigeria’s future, and affirmed that NLNG would continue to support platforms that harness innovation for national development.
