No-winner verdict triggers record 237 entries in NLNG science, innovation prize

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has recorded an unprecedented 237 submissions for the 2026 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation, more than double the 112 entries received in 2025, following last year’s controversial no-winner verdict.

The surge in participation was announced at the official handover of entries held in Lagos on Thursday, where NLNG officials said the decision not to award a winner in 2025 strengthened, rather than weakened, confidence in the credibility of the competition.

Speaking at the event, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, said the no-winner outcome reflected the organisers’ resolve to preserve the integrity of the prestigious prize by refusing to lower standards.

According to her, although no winner emerged from the 2025 edition despite 112 submissions, the development prompted NLNG to intensify engagement with researchers, innovators, universities, and technology hubs across the country.

Horsfall explained that the organisation subsequently launched a nationwide roadshow and strengthened partnerships with science festivals and innovation ecosystems to encourage more high-quality participation.

“In this fourth industrial revolution, digital infrastructure is as foundational to national survival as electricity or water,” she said, stressing that Nigeria’s economic future depends on converting research into practical, globally competitive innovations.

The 2026 edition retains the theme: “Innovations in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Information and Communication Technology (ICT), or Digital Technologies for Development.”

Chairman of the Advisory Board, Prof. Barth Nnaji, described the record entries as proof of the resilience and growing strength of Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.

He defended last year’s no-winner decision, insisting it was not a rejection of Nigerian talent but a deliberate statement on excellence.

“Our refusal to award the prize was not a dismissal of the hard work of Nigerian innovators. Rather, it was a clear demonstration that The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation will not compromise its standards,” Nnaji said.

He added that all entries for the 2026 edition would undergo rigorous, independent, and merit-based assessment by the Advisory Board and panel of judges.

Also speaking, Manager, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs at NLNG, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, said the sharp increase in submissions showed that Nigerian innovators were motivated to improve rather than discouraged by the previous year’s verdict.

She noted that technology remains the most scalable solution to many of Nigeria’s development challenges, including healthcare, education, and productivity.

Sponsored by NLNG, The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation remains one of Africa’s leading science-focused awards, offering a $100,000 prize for innovations with significant societal impact.