No Winner for 2025 Nigeria Prize for Science, Says Advisory Board

Yinka Olatunbosun

The advisory board of the Nigeria Prize for Science has announced that there will be no winner for the 2025 edition, following the judges’ dissatisfaction with the overall quality of entries received.

Whilst speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, the Chairman of the advisory board, Prof. Barth Nnaji, explained that after a rigorous adjudication of the 112 entries submitted that year, none was found suitable for the prize. He stated that the decision, though difficult, reinforced the board’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the selection process and protecting the reputation of the prestigious Nigeria Prize for Science.

He noted that the prize is not just about rewarding scientific output, but safeguarding the values of creativity, originality and scientific rigour that define a truly outstanding work.

He commended the courage and dedication of all who submitted entries noting that their efforts reflect discipline and a desire to contribute to both national and global scientific discourse. He stressed that excellence was beyond effort and that it requires innovation, mastery of craft and the ability to leave a lasting mark on human thought and development.

The board chairman called on Nigerian scientists, researchers and innovators to be inspired by the judges’ verdict to do more and strive higher.

“The Nigeria Prize exists to celebrate only the finest achievements of work that embodies originality, withstands scrutiny and elevates scientific discourse. Where these qualities are absent, we cannot, in good conscience, bestow the prize,” he stated.

The Nigeria Prize for Science sponsored by the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas is a prestigious award recognizing groundbreaking scientific innovations in Nigeria where the winner receives a sum of $100,000.The theme for 2025 edition was “Innovations in ICT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Digital Technologies for Development.”

Since there was no winner for the 2025 edition due to the judges’ dissatisfaction with the overall quality of entries, the theme will be repeated for the 2026 edition. In 2024, Professor Meihong Wang, Dr. Eni Oko, and Dr. Olajide Otitoju were the co-winners for their work in process and energy systems engineering.

And in 2023, Professor Hippolite Amadi won for his innovations in respiratory technologies for newborns, specifically designing affordable medical systems to save lives.