● Universities, polytechnics get two more weeks to submit top research work
Nigerian tertiary institutions have been granted a two-week extension to submit entries for the maiden edition of the National Laureate Programme, with the Federal Government moving the deadline from August 31 to September 15, 2026.
The National Laureate Committee announced the extension on Monday, saying the decision followed requests from universities, polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education and military institutions that needed more time to conclude internal selection processes.
The National Laureate Programme was inaugurated by the Federal Government under the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, CON, as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda. It is designed as a national platform to identify, evaluate, celebrate and reward the best undergraduate dissertations, master’s theses and doctoral research in accredited Nigerian institutions.
The programme is backed by an annual research prize fund of ₦365 million.
—WHO CAN APPLY AND HOW MANY—
Under the 2026 framework, each eligible institution can submit a maximum of 18 outstanding research works:
- 6 Undergraduate Dissertations
- 6 Master’s Theses
- 6 Doctoral/PhD Theses
Equivalent categories apply for polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education and other eligible institutions.
The extension, the Committee said, will allow schools to properly constitute their Institutional Laureate Selection Committees and ensure only approved, high-quality entries are forwarded.
—NEW DEADLINE FIRM—
“All approved institutional entries for the 2026 National Laureate Programme must now be submitted on or before Tuesday, 15 September 2026, through the approved submission channels of the Programme,” the statement signed by Committee Spokesperson, Ita Ekpenyong, read.
The Committee added that it remains committed to making the programme a credible and prestigious platform for recognising outstanding scholarship and strengthening Nigeria’s knowledge and innovation ecosystem.
Detailed guidelines, committee manuals and application procedures are available via the official National Laureate Programme channels.
With the new date, institutions now have until mid-September to put forward research they believe can compete for a share of the ₦365m prize and national recognition.
