FG Unveils National Knowledge Prize To Reward Academic Excellence

The Federal Government has unveiled the Tertiary Institutions National Knowledge Prize, an initiative designed to recognise and reward outstanding academic research, innovation and intellectual excellence across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. Speaking at the inauguration of the National Knowledge Prize Committee, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the initiative would strengthen Nigeria’s culture of scholarship and innovation while providing a national platform for exceptional academic work with potential for commercialisation, industrial application and national development. He said the committee was inaugurated to provide strategic direction, strengthen governance and ensure the integrity of the prize and its implementation. Providing further details on the initiative, the minister said some special awards would honour distinguished Nigerians whose contributions to national development exemplify excellence, courage and service. Alausa also frowned at the increasing patronage of institutions outside the country by Nigerians seeking courses that are available in Nigerian tertiary institutions. The National Knowledge Prize is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Nigeria Education Repository and Data Bank.