Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has presented GenScan AI, the winning entry of the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation (NPSI), to stakeholders in Abuja. The artificial intelligence (AI) tool could speed up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and widen access to diagnostic services.
Developed by Mary-Brenda Akoda, GenScan AI uses AI to shorten MRI scan times while maintaining or improving image quality. The presentation brought stakeholders together to explore how it could be used in Nigeria’s health sector and what is needed to move the research into clinical use.
Up to 90 per cent faster
The NPSI Advisory Board, which declared Akoda the winner, said: “its C-MORE algorithm uses a one-step framework to reconstruct MRI images, with the potential to reduce scan acquisition times by up to 90 per cent without requiring new MRI hardware.”
Shorter scans could let hospitals attend to more patients, cut waiting times and make better use of existing MRI machines. These potential benefits informed the recognition of the work’s relevance to healthcare delivery.
Practical difference in people’s lives
In her welcome remarks, Sophia Horsfall, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, stressed the importance of accurate diagnosis to effective treatment. She said diagnostic imaging gives medical teams the evidence they need to identify conditions and make informed decisions about patient care.
“Our interest goes beyond recognising an outstanding idea. We want to see scientific research make a practical difference in people’s lives. GenScan AI offers the prospect of faster medical imaging and better use of existing equipment. This presentation creates an opportunity to discuss what is needed to move that promise towards practical application,” she said.
Professor Barth Nnaji of the Prize’s Advisory Board said the winning work stood out for the strength of its science and its potential to meet a practical healthcare need.
He said the next step is to engage clinicians and other stakeholders to assess how the technology could be used safely and effectively. The presentation, he added, was a chance to examine its potential and what further development and application would require.
Record entries, historic win
Akoda won the 2026 prize from a record 237 entries submitted under the theme “Innovations in Artificial Intelligence, ICT and Digital Technologies for Development.” She was selected after an independent evaluation by the Panel of Judges, chaired by Dr Omobola Johnson, and endorsed by the Advisory Board.
She is the first woman and the first millennial to win the prize as an individual. She is due to receive the US$100,000 award at the Grand Award Night on October 9, 2026.
The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation, sponsored by NLNG, recognises excellence in scientific research and promotes innovations that address practical challenges. The public presentation supports that aim by connecting winning research with the institutions and professionals who can help turn it into benefits for society
Sunday Michael Ogwu is a Nigerian journalist and editor of Pinnacle Daily. He is known for his work in business and economic reporting. He has held editorial roles in prominent Nigerian media outlets, where he has focused on economic policy, financial markets, and developmental issues affecting Nigeria and Africa more broadly.