NLNG $100,000 Science Prize Claimed By 3 Malaria Research Journals.

After years of being in the shadows, the most prestigious science award in Nigeria finally announces winners and gives hope to budding scientists.

After the announcement of the winner of the NLNG prize for Literature weeks ago, the second prize sponsored by the corporation have also released the names of the winners. The winning entries were announced by the chair of judges led by Prof. Akpoveta Susu (who had won the maiden prize in 2004). The works are:  Improving Home and Community Management of Malaria: Providing the Evidence Base by Ikeoluwapo Ajayi, Ayodele Jegede & Bidemi Yusuf, Multifaceted Efforts at Malaria Control in Research: Management of Malaria of Various Grades and Mapping Artemisinin Resistance by Olugbenga Mokuolu and Chukwuma Agubata’s Novel lipid microparticles for effective delivery of Artemether antimalarial drug using a locally-sourced Irvingia fat from nuts of Irvingia gabonensis var excelsa (ogbono).

The prize was last won in 2010 by Professor Akahehomen O. Akii Ibhadode for his work on the development of a new method in Die Design. After which rearrangement were made within the prize’s board and a new set of judges were announced and in 2016, the judges said they will extend the prize until this year to give more time for more entries to be submitted on the theme ‘Innovation In Malaria Control’.

The sum of $100,000 dollars will be awarded to the scientists whose works were announced as winners.

Kudo Eresia-Eke, the General Manager of External Relations at NLNG praised the judges for coming up with winners after years of announcing no-winner results. He also commended the winning scientists as making both Nigeria and Africa proud with their outstanding works.

Prof. Susu too expressed hope that the prize will awaken the passion for scientific research in the country though he acknowledged the difficulties the lack of infrastructure placed on budding scientists.