Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) has reiterated its dedication to advancing artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in Nigeria, leveraging its premier science prize to open new opportunities for industries and innovators nationwide.
The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation, an annual competition backed by NLNG, continues to unlock vast opportunities for young Nigerians by promoting innovation aimed at enhancing knowledge and creativity.
Prof. Bart Nnaji, Chairman of the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation, described this year’s competition as especially significant. The theme, “Innovations in Artificial Intelligence or ICT or Digital Technologies for Development,” was intentionally carried over from the 2025 edition, which ended without a winner as no submission met the exceptionally high standards required. That tough decision underscored the prize’s steadfast commitment to maintaining its integrity, credibility and global reputation.
Nnaji said the advisory board views every call for entries as a chance to innovate and honour excellence. “We were delighted that keeping the same theme challenged the innovation community and drew 237 entries, the highest number of submissions in the prize’s history,” he said.
Announcing the 2026 winner, Nnaji said the overwhelming participation in this year’s edition highlights the inherent capacity and resolve of Nigerian innovators to craft solutions that tackle real-world problems through emerging technologies.
“The importance of this year’s theme cannot be overstated. We are living in an era where artificial intelligence and digital technologies are transforming every facet of human life, from healthcare and education to agriculture, finance, energy and even entertainment,” Nnaji said. He added that every research effort in this field is praiseworthy, whether for the prize or otherwise. “I can say that this field is still very green, with numerous opportunities that can have a major global impact.”
After a rigorous, independent and transparent evaluation process, the Panel of Judges shortlisted three outstanding innovations as finalists: GenScan AI (GenMRI/C-MORE) by Mary-Brenda Akoda; EwaDx Smart Bra Diagnostic Device by Kemisola Bolarinwa; and Accuracy and Reliability of MedBrain in Assisting Triage and Diagnosis of Common Acute Paediatric Conditions in Ethiopia by Pol Ricart and Paul Dinwoke.
Each entry showcased ingenuity, scientific merit and a strong potential to address critical societal challenges. However, following detailed assessments against the approved criteria and careful consideration of their innovation, impact, technical depth, scalability and practical application, one submission consistently scored highest across all judges.
“I am therefore pleased to announce that Mary-Brenda Akoda’s GenScan AI was unanimously chosen as the winner of the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation,” Nnaji said.
The judges agreed that the winning entry’s AI-powered MRI reconstruction technology directly tackles a critical healthcare challenge by significantly cutting MRI scan times while maintaining, and potentially improving, image quality. In practical terms, this enables hospitals and diagnostic centres to serve more patients using existing MRI infrastructure, while boosting diagnostic efficiency and expanding access to quality healthcare.
According to a 2016–2018 survey published in the Pan African Medical Journal in 2018, Nigeria has 58 installed MRI machines, though the actual number of functional units may differ and is not publicly confirmed in a single official, up-to-date database. While GenScan AI would not increase the physical number of MRI machines in Nigeria, its potential impact lies in enabling every compatible existing scanner to process far more patients, effectively expanding usable MRI capacity without the need to purchase new machines.
By reducing scan time per examination, GenScan AI could potentially shorten waiting lists, enable earlier diagnosis and allow imaging centres to serve more patients with the existing equipment. This is a significant achievement for this year’s process, aligning with the core objective behind establishing The Nigeria Prize for Science & Innovation by Nigeria LNG Limited.
“I want to specially commend all participants in this year’s competition. Your work contributes to the advancement of knowledge and to the development of more solutions that can potentially transform lives. That is exactly what NLNG, as sponsor of this prize, seeks to achieve, in line with its vision of being a globally competitive energy company, improving lives sustainably,” Nnaji said. He praised NLNG for its unwavering commitment to this goal.
Also speaking, Dr Sophia Horsfall, General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, emphasized that for more than two decades, The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation has shone a national spotlight on some of the brightest minds in laboratories, universities and research institutions. The prize has also underscored the urgent need for scientists at home and abroad to continue striving for outstanding scientific research that contributes to Nigeria’s social advancement and the global body of knowledge.
“Today, we are here to receive the outcome of the 2026 contest. The focus is on Innovations in Artificial Intelligence, or Information Communication Technology, or Digital Technologies for Development. While last year’s cycle ended without a winner, the 237 entries received this year on the same theme reflect the renewed determination of our scientists and innovators to demonstrate the enterprise and can-do spirit that defines the global research and innovation space,” Horsfall said.