Mary-Brenda Akoda has been announced as the winner of the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation (NPSI) for her groundbreaking innovation, GenScan AI (GenMRI/C-MORE), an artificial intelligence-powered solution designed to significantly accelerate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
Akoda becomes the first millennial and the first woman to win the prize as an individual recipient, marking a significant milestone in the 22-year history of the prestigious award.
The winner was unveiled at the 2026 Press Conference for the Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation in Lagos, following a rigorous and independent evaluation by the prize’s Panel of Judges and endorsement by the NPSI Advisory Board.
GenScan AI emerged as the winning entry from a record 237 submissions, the highest number of entries received since the inception of the prize. The decision followed a unanimous recommendation by the Panel of Judges, chaired by Dr Omobola Johnson, and subsequent approval by the NPSI Advisory Board.
Akoda’s innovation features an AI-powered MRI reconstruction technology designed to reduce MRI acquisition time while maintaining or improving image quality. Its C-MORE algorithm employs a one-step consistency-model framework to reconstruct MRI images and has the potential to reduce scan times by up to 90% without requiring new MRI hardware.
The judges adjudged GenScan AI to have the strongest combination of scientific innovation, technical soundness, developmental impact and commercial scalability among the three shortlisted entries. They noted that the technology could improve scanner utilisation, reduce patient waiting times and potentially expand access to MRI services, particularly in resource-constrained healthcare systems such as Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, Dr Sophia Horsfall, said the return of a winner after the prize recorded a “no winner” verdict in 2025 demonstrated that the standards of the competition remained uncompromising. She also said the outcome reflected the quality and potential of Nigerian science and innovation.
Horsfall disclosed that the 2026 competition, which retained the theme “Innovations in Artificial Intelligence, ICT and Digital Technologies for Development,” attracted 237 entries, representing the highest number recorded since the prize began. “If an entry is declared worthy of the prize today, we can be confident that it has earned that distinction through a thorough and credible evaluation process,” she said.
She commended the Advisory Board and Panel of Judges for their professionalism, independence and integrity throughout the adjudication process.
Chairman of the NPSI Advisory Board, Professor Barth Nnaji, said the unanimous decision to recognise GenScan AI reflected the quality of the innovation and its potential to address critical healthcare challenges. According to him, the rigorous evaluation process was designed to identify innovations that go beyond scientific novelty to demonstrate practical relevance, measurable impact and prospects for real-world application.
Nnaji said GenScan AI distinguished itself by combining advanced artificial intelligence with a practical healthcare application capable of improving the efficiency and accessibility of medical imaging.
The 2026 outcome marks the 12th time a winning work has been recognised in the 22-year history of the prize, which has now been rebranded as The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation.
Akoda will receive the US$100,000 prize award at The Grand Award Night scheduled for October 9, 2026.
A First-Class graduate of Computer Science from Goldsmiths, University of London, Akoda holds a Master of Research with Distinction in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning from Imperial College London, where she was a Google DeepMind Scholar. She has also worked as a software engineer and AI research scientist at Microsoft, including with the Microsoft Mixed Reality and AI Research Lab.