Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has launched a nomination platform for outstanding research works as part of its participation in the 2026 Nigeria Tertiary Institutions National Laureate Programme.
The university announced the development on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, urging members of its academic community with exceptional research works to submit them for consideration under the institution’s selection process. ([Obafemi Awolowo University][1])
The National Laureate Programme is a Federal Government initiative convened by the Federal Ministry of Education in partnership with the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank, NERD.
The programme is designed to identify and recognise outstanding research, innovation and scholarly work produced by students and researchers in accredited tertiary institutions across Nigeria. ([National Universities Commission][2])
Research works eligible for consideration are drawn from undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels and cover six thematic areas. These are Agriculture, Teaching Innovation, Medicine and Health Sciences, Science, Engineering and Technology, Law, and Arts and Social Sciences.
Under the 2026 programme, the annual prize fund is valued at N365 million. The major awards include N35 million for the Undergraduate Star Prize, N50 million for the Master’s Star Prize and N100 million for the Doctoral Star Prize.
The programme also provides 15 Thematic Excellence Awards of N12 million each, with the selection process expected to move through institutional, regional and national stages. ([National Laureate][3])
The Federal Government had earlier directed participating tertiary institutions to establish institutional selection committees to assess outstanding academic works before they are submitted for consideration at subsequent stages.
Participating institutions are required to ensure that nominated research works have been deposited with the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank and assigned a valid National Document Number before they can qualify for consideration. ([National Universities Commission][2])
OAU said its newly launched platform is intended to facilitate the university’s internal nomination process and enable eligible members of the university community to present outstanding research for consideration.
The university, however, set 4pm on Thursday, September 24, 2026, as the deadline for submissions through its nomination platform. ([Obafemi Awolowo University][1])
The National Laureate Programme is expected to culminate in the selection of 18 thematic laureates, with the three Star Prize winners drawn from the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral categories. The programme is intended to increase the visibility of Nigerian research and encourage academic work capable of addressing national development challenges. ([National Laureate][3])
For OAU researchers and students with eligible outstanding academic works, the September 24 deadline therefore provides a final opportunity to submit their research through the university’s institutional nomination process.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.