WorldStage Newsonline– The Advisory Board of the Nigeria Prize for Science sponsored by the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) on Monday announced Dr Olajide Otitoju from School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, UK; Meihong Wang, Professor of Energy Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield; and Dr Eni Oko, Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Chemical Engineering, Newcastle University as the joint winners for 2024 cycle to receive a prize of $100,000.
They won the Prize through their entry “Process Intensification Technology for Greenhouse Gas Emission Control in Power Generation and Industry for Sustainable FUEl Production (PIC-FUEL)”.
The winners were announced in Lagos by the chairman of the Prize, Professor Barth Nnaji,
The theme for 2024 edition is “Innovations and Technologies for Reducing the Effect of Climate Change”.
The Advisory Board of the Nigeria Prize for Science earlier confirmed that 153 entries were received for the 2024 cycle of the Prize for Science, attaining a 53 per cent increase over last year and a 20-year high record.
Professor Hippolite Amadi with an entry “Low-cost Respiratory Technologies for Keeping the Nigerian Neonates Alive” won the $100,000 cash prize for 2023 while Muhydideen Oyekunle and Shehu Ado through the entry “Gains in Grain Yield of Released Maize (Zea Mays L.) Cultivars under Drought and Well-Watered Conditions” jointly won the prize with Sesan Peter Ayodeji and Emmanuel Olatunji Olatomilola through the entry “Development of Process Plant for Plantain Flour” in 2022.
NLNG’s General Manager for External Relations and Sustainable Development, Mr Andy Odeh earlier underscored the critical importance of this year’s theme, emphasising that combating climate change is not only vital for Nigeria’s future but also essential for the survival of humanity.
“You can agree with me that the theme of this year’s prize will be of unquantifiable monetary value to the nation as you know that climate change, arising from green gas emission, remains a major setback to development of human,” he said.
He stated further that 2024 was a special year for both The Nigeria Prize for Science, and its sister prize, The Nigeria Prize for Literature, as the prizes celebrate their 20 years anniversary.
Mr. Andy emphasised that the Nigeria prize for Science was an annual prize aimed at stimulating the advancement and application of science and technology, adding that the quest for a prestigious prize in science is expected to improve science and technology in Nigeria, resolve issues that are germane to development of the country and help improve the standards of living.
Other members of the Advisory Board are Chief Dr. Nike Akande, a two-time minister and former President of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Professor Yusuf Abubakar, a professor of Animal Breeding and Quantitative Genetics and the Coordinator of Agriculture Group, R & D Standing Committee, at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
Odeh said, “As the world grapples with the escalating climate crisis, initiatives like the Nigeria Prize for Science play a crucial role in driving innovation and fostering solutions to mitigate environmental degradation.
“The increased participation in this year’s cycle signals a growing recognition of the imperative to address climate change through scientific ingenuity and collaborative efforts.
“The Nigeria Prize for Science is arguably the most prestigious science prize in Africa and one of NLNG’s biggest social investment projects.”
