Mary-Brenda Akoda Wins 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science & Innovation, Makes History as Youngest Winner
I am delighted to announce that Mary-Brenda Akoda, the creator of GenScan AI, has been unanimously selected by the panel of judges, led by Dr. Omobola Johnson, as the winner of the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science & Innovation, receiving a prestigious prize of US$100,000.
Beyond winning the award, Mary-Brenda has made history as the youngest winner of the Science Prize to date—a remarkable milestone for a young Nigerian woman working at the intersection of science, technology and healthcare.
Her achievement is particularly significant because the Nigeria Prize for Science has long been viewed by many as a competition dominated by established academics and professors. Mary-Brenda’s success demonstrates that groundbreaking ideas can come from young innovators who are determined to tackle some of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges.
GenScan AI: Using Technology to Improve MRI Access
Mary-Brenda’s winning innovation, GenScan AI, uses artificial intelligence to reconstruct MRI images, with the potential to significantly reduce scanning times while maintaining, and potentially improving, image quality.
The technology could have a meaningful impact on Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Nigeria continues to face limited access to MRI infrastructure, while purchasing and maintaining additional scanners requires significant financial investment. GenScan AI does not physically increase the number of MRI machines available, but it could enable compatible existing scanners to examine more patients within the same period.
That could translate into:
- Shorter MRI examination times
- More patients being examined each day
- Reduced waiting lists
- Faster access to diagnosis
- Less pressure on healthcare professionals and diagnostic centres
- Earlier detection and treatment of certain conditions
- More efficient use of Nigeria’s existing diagnostic infrastructure
In other words, the innovation has the potential to expand the effective capacity of Nigeria’s MRI services without requiring an immediate equivalent increase in the number of machines.
That is exactly what impactful innovation should look like: technology responding directly to a real-world national challenge.
A Prize That Refused to Lower the Bar
Mary-Brenda’s victory is even more remarkable when viewed against what happened last year.
In 2025, none of the 112 entries submitted for the prize met the required standard, and no winner was selected.
Rather than lowering its expectations, NLNG retained the same theme—“Innovations in Artificial Intelligence or ICT or Digital Technologies for Development”—and maintained its commitment to rewarding solutions that demonstrate genuine excellence and transformative potential.
This year, the response was extraordinary.
A record 237 entries were received, with three outstanding innovations eventually reaching the final stage. From this highly competitive field emerged a winner whose work demonstrated originality, technical depth, scalability and the potential to improve lives.
The “No Winner” verdict of the previous year was not the end of the story. It was a challenge to Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem—and Mary-Brenda rose to that challenge.
Why This Achievement Matters
This victory represents more than a US$100,000 prize.
It is a powerful reminder of what can happen when excellence, innovation and determination are given the opportunity to thrive.
Mary-Brenda’s achievement also sends an important message to young Nigerians, particularly young women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics: your ideas can solve real problems, your innovations can compete on the biggest stages, and your age does not have to limit your impact.
This is why standards matter. This is why excellence must remain non-negotiable. And this is why the Nigeria Prize for Science & Innovation exists—to identify, encourage and reward innovative solutions with the potential to transform lives.
Congratulations to Mary-Brenda Akoda on this outstanding achievement.
Her success is not only a personal milestone; it is a proud moment for Nigeria and an inspiring moment for young Nigerians pursuing careers in STEM, artificial intelligence and healthcare innovation.
The future of Nigerian innovation is looking brighter—and Mary-Brenda Akoda is helping to shape it.
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