‘We must invest deeply in science and digital technologies for progress’

As a nation, we must begin to invest more deeply in science, where artificial intelligence and digital technologies hold the keys to solving many of our development challenges. So tonight, as we applaud our winning writer, let us also rededicate ourselves to the broader vision. Let us commit to nurturing both science and art, to strengthening education, to investing in digital technologies, and to fueling the engines of sustainable energy

Good evening, distinguished guests.

BEFORE I begin, I want you to take a look around this room. Tonight, we are surrounded by dreamers and doers, people whose ideas have the power to shape the future of our country. That is what makes this event extraordinary.

And for bringing us together in this remarkable way, we must thank NLNG, for sustaining these prizes year after year as a beacon of excellence for our nation.

Across the world, great prizes have always been turning points; moments when human achievement is not only recognised but elevated to inspire generations.

In 1901, the very first Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Wilhelm Röntgen for his discovery of X-rays, a breakthrough that transformed medicine and continues to save millions of lives every year.

More recently, in 2020, science offered the world a life transforming innovation – the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, a tool that gives humanity the power to rewrite the code of life. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry for that went to Emmanuelle Charpentier and

Jennifer Doudna and already, CRISPR is being used to explore cures for genetic diseases once thought incurable, from sickle cell anaemia to certain cancers. This is what happens when bold scientific ideas are lifted from the laboratory and given a platform to change the world.

Literature follows a similar trajectory. In 1982, Gabriel García Márquez’s Nobel Prize for One Hundred Years of Solitude leapt from regional fame to global influence, reshaping how the world perceived Latin American storytelling.

Closer to home, when Professor Wole Soyinka was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986, he became Africa’s first laureate in that category. That single recognition ignited pride across the continent, proving that African voices could stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s greatest. Today, Soyinka’s legacy continues to inspire young writers who believe their words, too, can echo globally.

Through the Nigeria Prize for Literature, the Nigeria Prize for Science, and the Prize for Literary Criticism, NLNG has created platforms that place Nigerian brilliance on the world stage, nurturing creativity, sparking innovation, and affirming that our nation’s best minds also deserve the world’s attention.

This is the power of a prizes: to elevate excellence, and inspire the younger generation to drive excellence in their personal accomplishments and our national pride

But as we celebrate, we must also pause to reflect. This year, the Nigeria Prize for Science, with its theme “Innovations in ICT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Digital Technologies for Development,” did not produce a winning work. Neither did the Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism. Science and criticism are not luxuries; they are necessities. Without innovation, we cannot compete in a digital future. Without criticism, literature loses its mirror and its compass.

Let us be clear: this responsibility is not NLNG’s alone. It belongs to every one of us here tonight. To the policymakers, I say: create an environment where research and creativity can flourish. To the industry captains: invest in innovation, not just extraction. To the scientists: keep asking the hard questions, even when answers are slow to come. To the writers and critics: continue to tell our stories and hold us accountable to our truth.

As a nation, we must begin to invest more deeply in science, where artificial intelligence and digital technologies hold the keys to solving many of our development challenges. So tonight, as we applaud our winning writer, let us also rededicate ourselves to the broader vision. Let us commit to nurturing both science and art, to strengthening education, to investing in digital technologies, and to fueling the engines of sustainable energy.

Because the future we all desire, a future of sustainable growth, of innovation, of pride in our national identity, can only be built by us.

NLNG’s enduring commitment to excellence in literature and science reflects its broader ambition in the energy sector. For over two and a half decades, this proudly Nigerian brand has remained a steadfast force—powering the nation’s participation in the global energy market as a reliable supplier of LNG that fuels industries and homes across the world. NLNG has proven to be a formidable force in deepening access and availability of domestic cooking gas for Nigerian homes. With partnerships that promote gas utilisation, NLNG is also helping to drive domestic utilisation for industrialisation, and contribute to cleaner, more sustainable development.

So, as we celebrate tonight, let us also ponder on the challenge that this year’s results present. Let us invest more deeply in science, where artificial intelligence and digital technologies hold the keys to solving many of our development challenges. Let us nurture the discipline of literary criticism, which keeps our storytelling sharp and relevant. And let us continue to celebrate and elevate our writers, who remind us that stories are as vital to nation-building as any physical infrastructure.

It is my hope that the NLNG Grand Award Night continues to inspire us to produce more excellent works in science, research and storytelling. To every scientist or author who competed for the 2025 prizes, I extend the warmest congratulations for your courage in giving voice to your vision. You have just demonstrated that you too can be legends who will continue to shape our national identity.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the NLNG Grand Award Night is more than an evening of recognitions; it is a reminder of what is possible when excellence is celebrated. That is the true purpose of these prizes: not just to reward the present, but to inspire the future.

We must continue to support NLNG for being at the forefront of this journey, as an energy company, as a national partner, and as a global ambassador for Nigerian excellence.

Let us leave here inspired by the collective story we are writing together as a nation. A story of resilience, of brilliance, and of hope.

Congratulations once again to our winner and thank you all for being part of this remarkable evening.

I wish you all a memorable evening.