In Nigeria, scientists failed to claim the N36 million reward promised by the Federal Government for their breakthroughs in combating COVID-19 and Lassa Fever by providing a cure, despite the challenge issued by Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu 3 years ago. Regardless of the minister’s proclamation, no individual has stepped forward to lay claim on the substantial cash reward. The minister, in a statement, said that there is no limit to what can be achieved. When the declaration was made, Coronavirus had not made its way into Nigeria.
Prof. Maurice Iwu, a former chairman of INEC, astounded everyone with a groundbreaking revelation on March 1, 2020. During a meeting with Onu at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, he confidently presented a remedy for COVID-19, just few weeks after the announcement of a substantial cash reward. Iwu, an esteemed pharmacognosy expert, leads the Bioresources Institute of Nigeria (BION), where his dedicated research team devised a potential remedy. On February 27, 2020, an agreement called the Non-Clinical Evaluation Agreement was established between the research group and the Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, an agency of the US government.
A committee of Nigerian Academy of Science Fellows was established for it.
Iwu emphasized the importance of relying on the Federal Government and Nigerians to aid the group in transforming their potential cure into a viable drug. He identified Finance as the sole obstacle impeding the drug’s progress. Onu, in his reaction to Iwu’s presentation, encouraged the research group to share their findings with a specialized team established by the Federal Government for the purpose of evaluating potential remedies and healthcare advancements. The minister expressed that the cash prize of N36 million, offered by the Federal Government, aims to serve as inspiration to scientists in Nigeria who successfully uncover cures for both coronavirus and Lassa Fever.
Also, the minister made it known that the introduction of a monetary reward had prompted the establishment of a committee constituted by Nigerian Academy of Science Fellows. This committee was tasked with thoroughly investigating the assertions made by certain Nigerians who strongly believe they have discovered a remedy for the COVID-19 ailment. On February 13th, 2020, Onu issued a call to Nigerian scientists, urging them to embark on a quest to discover a remedy for the COVID-19 virus. In order to motivate their efforts, he promised a generous sum of N36 million as a financial incentive. Ever since, a multitude of organisations and people have reached out to the ministry, asserting that their extensive studies and organic concoctions possess the ability to remedy COVID-19.
Lassa Fever continues to persist as a pressing public health emergency.
Among Nigerian researchers and scientists striving to find a solution for COVID-19, Iwu’s endeavours have garnered the greatest attention. However, Iwu and his team’s endeavours failed to yield the desired cure, and when COVID-19 ravaged the globe, Nigeria resorted to relying on imported Vaccines to mitigate the transmission of the illness. Despite multiple efforts, a reliable remedy for Lassa Fever, a disease that typically emerges in various regions of Nigeria when the weather is dry, remains elusive. Unfortunately, the majority of individuals infected with the disease succumb to it.
Despite three years passing, Nigerian scientists were still unable to claim the N36 million cash reward. Insiders from the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology have revealed that no scientist emerged victorious in securing the cash reward. In light of the Federal Government’s N36 million cash prize, which was offered during a time when COVID-19 posed a significant Public Health risk, it appears that the circumstances have now shifted. However, despite the diminishing threat of COVID-19, Lassa Fever continues to persist as a pressing public health emergency within Nigeria.
NLNG Science prize is $100,000 and is higher than the N38 million prize.
The minister presented the N36 million reward with an established timeline, specifications and details, yet no one came forward to claim the prize with a cure for COVID-19 and Lassa Fever. The value of the prize may be seen as insignificant when compared to the NLNG Science Prize which amounts to one hundred thousand US dollars, over 90 million Naira in Nigerian currency. However, the Academy also provides the winners with a prestigious gold medal to further recognize their worth.
