NLNG is calling for submissions for The 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation, inviting innovators, scientists, startups, and interdisciplinary teams from around the world. The initiative aims to recognize and reward high-impact, innovative, and scalable solutions that utilize Artificial Intelligence, Information Communication Technology (ICT), or Digital Technologies to solve significant development challenges relevant to Nigeria. The prize encourages entries of both research-led innovations and practice-led, field-tested solutions.
Program Theme and Focus
• Theme: Innovations in Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Information Communication Technology (ICT) or Digital Technologies for Development.
• Objective: To identify high-impact, innovative, and scalable solutions that address clearly defined development challenges in Nigeria.
• Accepted Submissions: The program welcomes both research-led innovations and practice-led, field-tested solutions.
Submission Requirements
• Technology Integration: Entries must demonstrate a clear integration of AI, ICT, or Digital Technologies.
• Practicality: Solutions should have practical applicability and operational clarity.
• Validation: Submissions must include evidence of deployment, piloting, or real-world testing.
• Impact: A measurable or clearly articulated community or societal impact is required.
• Scalability: The innovation must show potential for scalability, sustainability, and widespread adoption.
• Consideration: Innovations with strong, demonstrated real-world impact will be given due consideration.
Eligibility Criteria
• Global Reach: The award is open to scientists and innovators worldwide, including both Nigerians and non-Nigerians.
• Field of Work: Applicants must be involved in applying science and innovation to create solutions in AI, ICT, or Digital Technologies for Development.
• Merit: The submitted work should be of outstanding merit, advancing the frontiers of knowledge or providing an innovative technology.
• Project Stage: Entries must be completed scientific works or innovative technologies, substantiated by a proof of concept or tangible societal impact.
• Submission Limit: Only one entry is permitted per individual or group.
• Exclusions: Members of the Advisory Board, Panel of Judges, or their relatives are ineligible during their year of service and the following year. NLNG staff and their immediate family members are ineligible during their years of service and for five years post-service.
Application Process and Deadline
• Submission Portal: All entries must be submitted through the official website at www.thenigeriaprizes.org.
• Application Steps: Applicants should navigate to the Application Form menu on the homepage, select 'Science - Call for Entries', and proceed to complete the form and upload all required documents.
• Collaboration: Works of collaboration by two or more individuals are welcome.
• Entry Frequency: Only one entry per contestant or team is permitted per competition year.
• Adherence to Rules: Entries not submitted by the deadline or according to the specified conditions will not be considered.
• Award Basis: The prize will be awarded solely on the basis of excellence.
• Deadline: All entries must be received by 23:59hrs WAT on Thursday, 30th April 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.
The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation was established by NLNG in 2004 to celebrate outstanding scientific and innovative achievements. It honors scientists and innovators globally who contribute to solving problems applicable to Nigeria, in alignment with NLNG's vision of sustainably improving lives. The prize is awarded for no other reason than excellence in finding solutions to a prescribed problem as defined by the Advisory Board.