By FUNMILOLA GBOTEKU

The 2025 Nigeria Prize for Science (NPS) has ended with no winner, following the judges’ unanimous decision that none of the entries met the required standards for the prestigious award.

The Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Prize, Prof. Barth Nnaji, said this in Lagos while announcing the outcome of the 2025 cycle.

The 2025 cycle had the theme, “Innovations in ICT, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Technologies for Development.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigeria Prize for Science is organised by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG).

Nnaji explained that although the Prize attracted 112 entries from across the world, only 54 were adjudged valid, and of these, ten were shortlisted.

He said that four finalists were eventually ratified by the advisory board for further consideration.

The board chairman noted that despite the effort invested by the researchers and innovators, the final submissions lacked the qualities of soundness, usability, and real impact that the prize represented.

“The judges discovered that some entries did not fully address all three thematic areas of the 2025 theme, while others revealed weaknesses in practicality, operability and evidence of robust field testing,” he said.

The advisory board, according to him, agreed with the panel of judges that a verdict of “No Winner” was necessary to preserve the integrity of the Prize.

“This decision preserves the credibility of the selection process and upholds the reputation of the Nigeria Prize for Science,” Nnaji stressed.

He recalled that the Prize, endowed in 2004 and worth 100,000 dollars was created to stimulate the growth and practical application of science and technology, with a strong focus on solving Nigeria’s pressing challenges.

Nnaji also commended the contributions of his fellow advisory board members, Dr Nike Akande, former Minister of Industries, and Prof. Yusuf Abubakar, an Animal Breeding and Genetics Expert.

He lauded the Nigeria LNG Ltd. (NLNG) for its unwavering commitment to sponsoring the Prize, even in the face of economic challenges, adding that such investments are crucial to Nigeria’s future.

Nnaji said the 2025 theme would be used for 2026 as there was no winner in 2025.

Speaking at the event, Dr Sophia Horsfall, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development at the NLNG, said the outcome of the 2025 cycle did not diminish the value of the Prize but reinforced its credibility.

Horsfall explained that the prize was created not only to celebrate winners but also to inspire scientific excellence and push innovators to develop practical and impactful solutions for the nation.

“We are living in a time of profound change. Across the world, digital technologies and artificial intelligence are reshaping how societies grow and how industries thrive,” she said.

According to her, the decision to focus the 2025 theme on ICT, AI and digital technologies reflects the NLNG’s recognition of the central role these fields play in Nigeria’s sustainable development.

She said the 112 entries received this year, though without a declared winner, were still a testimony to the creativity, resilience and ambition of Nigerian scientists and innovators.

Horsfall emphasised that every submission represented a pathway to improve lives and strengthen the country’s ability to tackle developmental challenges.

She noted that since its refresh in 2016, the Prize had continued to ignite scientific inquiry and bold solutions, inspiring Nigerian researchers to adapt global technologies to local realities.

The general manager said the decision of the judges should be seen not as a setback but as a call to action for researchers to deepen their fieldwork, enhance operability, and prove the commercial viability of their innovations.

“True innovation must move from theory to practice, from paper to communities, and from ideas to real-life impact,” she said.

Horsfall also drew lessons from international experience, citing Rwanda’s transformation into a hub of digital innovation as an example of how sustained investment in science could redefine a nation’s future.

“History offers us powerful lessons. Rwanda, once devastated by conflict, is now a hub for digital transformation and healthcare innovation.

“That journey reminds us that with vision, resilience, and investment in science, nations can be rebuilt and futures redefined,” she said.

She further highlighted the opportunities digital tools had created in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, noting that farmers are now leveraging innovations to boost yields and improve livelihoods.

“Already, we see technologies in agriculture boosting farmers’ yields and improving livelihoods. With continued dedication, Nigeria can play a leading role in shaping the global future of innovation,” she said.

Horsfall described the Nigeria Prize for Science as more than just an annual award, but as a national platform for shaping policy, inspiring young people, and challenging researchers to set higher standards.

“To all the brilliant minds who submitted their work, you are champions of progress. The breadth and depth of your submissions prove that Nigerian talents are vast, diverse and capable of shaping the future,” she said.

On what the 100, 000 dollars 2025 Prize money would be used for, Horsfall said it would be used for aggressive publicity to create more awareness for the Nigeria Prize for Science.

She urged the media to continue supporting the Prize through robust publicity, saying awareness was vital to encourage greater participation and attract groundbreaking ideas.

Horsfall concluded by affirming that investing in science was synonymous with investing in Nigeria’s future, adding that NLNG would continue to support platforms that harnessed innovation for national development. (NAN)