The Advisory Board of The Nigeria Prize for Science has announced that no winner will be named for the 2025 edition of the award.
The decision followed what the judges described as a lack of quality in the 112 entries received this year.
At a press briefing in Lagos on Wednesday, chairman of the advisory board, Professor Barth Nnaji, said none of the submissions met the high standards required for the prize.
He explained that the verdict was difficult but necessary to protect the integrity and reputation of the prize.
“The Nigeria Prize exists to celebrate only the finest achievements, work that embodies originality, withstands scrutiny, and elevates scientific discourse. Where these qualities are absent, we cannot, in good conscience, bestow the Prize,” Prof. Nnaji said.
He added that lowering the standard would betray the trust of the public and weaken the legacy of the prize.
The board chairman praised the efforts of all those who submitted entries, describing their work as evidence of discipline and a desire to advance scientific knowledge.
However, he stressed that true excellence requires more than effort.
“It demands innovation, mastery of craft, and the ability to leave a lasting mark on human thought and development,” he said.
Prof. Nnaji urged Nigerian scientists and innovators to see the verdict as a challenge to push boundaries and aim higher.
This is not the first time the prize has gone unawarded. It also happened in 2005, 2007, 2021, and during a break between 2011 and 2016.
The theme for this year, Innovations in ICT, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies for Development, will be repeated in 2026. The board said this is to encourage more participation, especially in the growing field of artificial intelligence.
The panel of judges was also unveiled.
Dr. Omobola Johnson, former minister of communication technology and senior partner at TLcom Capital, serves as chairperson.
Other members are Prof. Collins Udanor, an expert in data analytics and intelligent systems from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Prof. Aminu Muhammad Bui of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, whose work focuses on artificial intelligence and decision support systems.
The Nigeria Prize for Science, now in its 21st year, opened for submissions in February and attracted 112 entries.
