By Chibuzor Alli
Artificial intelligence innovator, Mary Brenda Akoda, has won the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation for her groundbreaking GenScan AI technology, becoming the first millennial and first woman to win the prize as an individual recipient.
Akoda’s innovation, GenScan AI (GenMRI/C MORE), is an artificial intelligence-powered MRI reconstruction technology designed to significantly reduce Magnetic Resonance Imaging acquisition time while maintaining or improving image quality.
The winner was announced at the 2026 Press Conference for the Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation in Lagos, following an independent evaluation by the Prize’s Panel of Judges and endorsement by the NPSI Advisory Board.
GenScan AI emerged from a record 237 entries submitted for the 2026 competition, the highest number received since the prize began.
The panel of judges, chaired by Dr Omobola Johnson, unanimously recommended the innovation for the award, which was subsequently approved by the NPSI Advisory Board.
According to the organisers, GenScan AI’s C MORE algorithm uses a one-step consistency model framework to reconstruct MRI images and has the potential to reduce scan times by up to 90 per cent without requiring new MRI hardware.
NLNG’s Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Anne Marie Palmer Ikuku, said in a statement on Tuesday that the innovation recorded the strongest combination of scientific innovation, technical soundness, developmental impact and commercial scalability potential among the three shortlisted entries.
The judges also 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’s.
Why GenScan AI won
Speaking at the event, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, NLNG, Dr Sophia Horsfall, said the emergence of a winner after the prize recorded a “no winner” verdict in 2025 demonstrated that the standards of the award remained uncompromising while reflecting the quality and potential of Nigerian science and innovation.
She said the 2026 competition retained the theme, “Innovations in Artificial Intelligence, ICT and Digital Technologies for Development,” and attracted 237 entries, the highest number recorded since the inception of the prize.
“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, commending 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 important healthcare challenges.
He said the rigorous evaluation process was designed to identify work that went beyond scientific novelty to demonstrate practical relevance, measurable impact and prospects for real-world application.
According to him, GenScan AI stood out for combining advanced artificial intelligence with a practical healthcare application capable of improving the efficiency and accessibility of medical imaging.
Akoda to receive $100,000 prize
Akoda will receive the US$100,000 prize at the Grand Award Night scheduled for 9 October 2026.
The 2026 outcome marks the 12th time a winning work has been recognised in the 22-year history of the prize, now rebranded as The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation.
Akoda is a First Class graduate of Computer Science from Goldsmiths, University of London. She also 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 previously worked as a software engineer and AI research scientist at Microsoft, including with the Microsoft Mixed Reality and AI Research Lab in Cambridge.
NLNG congratulated Akoda and all participants in the 2026 competition, saying every submission contributes to strengthening Nigeria’s scientific and innovation ecosystem.
The company also commended the Nigerian media for its continued partnership in promoting stories of scientific excellence and encouraging greater interest in solutions to national challenges.
The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation is one of NLNG’s flagship initiatives aimed at promoting excellence in scientific research and innovation and encouraging solutions capable of delivering meaningful and sustainable impact on society.
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