Nigeria Prize for Science Withholds 2025 Award, Upholds Uncompromising Standard of Excellence

The Advisory Board of The Nigeria Prize for Science, sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), has announced that no winner will be declared for the 2025 edition of the prestigious $100,000 Prize.

At a press briefing in Lagos, Chairman of the Advisory Board, Professor Barth Nnaji, explained that after evaluating 112 entries under the theme “Innovations in ICT, AI and Digital Technologies for Development,” none met the rigorous standard required to merit the award.

He emphasized that the Prize is not merely about recognizing effort, but about celebrating originality, scientific rigour, and innovation capable of making lasting contributions to human progress.
“To lower the bar would be to betray the trust of the public and diminish the legacy of the Prize itself,” Prof. Nnaji stated.

NLNG’s Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, reaffirmed that the Prize’s prestige lies in its integrity. “Excellence sets the bar, and sustainability keeps it there. This is why the Prize has true value—it is awarded only when the work truly deserves it,” she said.

While acknowledging the courage of all entrants, Prof. Nnaji urged Nigerian scientists, researchers, and innovators not to be discouraged but to aim higher. He stressed that excellence goes beyond effort—it requires groundbreaking ideas, mastery of craft, and impact that withstands global scrutiny.

The Nigeria Prize for Science has, in the past, withheld awards in 2005, 2007, 2011–2016, and 2021, underscoring its uncompromising commitment to integrity.

Looking ahead, the Advisory Board announced that the 2026 edition will retain the same theme—Innovations in ICT, AI and Digital Technologies for Development—and called on innovators, both Nigerian and international, to prepare for the call for entries in February 2026.

By standing firm, the Prize reinforces its role as a benchmark for scientific innovation in Africa and beyond, ensuring that only truly outstanding contributions are celebrated.