An artificial intelligence-powered innovation capable of reducing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) acquisition time by up to 90 per cent has won the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation (NPSI).

The innovation, GenScan AI, also known as GenMRI/C-MORE, was developed by Mary-Brenda Akoda, a Nigerian artificial intelligence researcher and software engineer.

Akoda’s emergence as the 2026 NPSI winner is historic, as she becomes the first woman and first millennial to win the prize as an individual recipient.

She emerged winner from a record 237 entries submitted for the 2026 competition; the highest number of entries received since the inception of the prize.

The winner was announced yesterday in Lagos at the 2026 Press Conference for the Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation following an independent evaluation by the Prize’s Panel of Judges and subsequent endorsement by the NPSI Advisory Board.

GenScan AI is an AI-powered MRI reconstruction technology designed to significantly reduce the time required to acquire MRI scans while maintaining or improving image quality.

Its C-MORE algorithm employs a one-step consistency-model framework to reconstruct MRI images.

According to the organisers, the technology has the potential to reduce scan times by up to 90 per cent without requiring new MRI hardware.

The judges said the innovation stood out among the three shortlisted entries because of its combination of scientific innovation, technical soundness, developmental impact and commercial scalability.

They also noted that the technology could improve the utilisation of MRI scanners, reduce patient waiting times and potentially expand access to medical imaging, particularly in resource-constrained healthcare systems such as Nigeria’s.

The development is significant for a country where access to advanced medical imaging remains constrained by the cost and availability of equipment and the time required for examinations.

Rather than requiring hospitals to replace existing MRI machines, the innovation is designed to work with existing hardware, potentially offering healthcare providers a way to improve the efficiency of their imaging services.

Speaking at the event, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development of the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), Dr Sophia Horsfall, said the emergence of a winner in 2026, after the prize recorded a “no winner” verdict in 2025, demonstrated that the organisers had maintained the integrity and high standards of the competition.

She said the 2026 competition, which retained the theme, “Innovations in Artificial Intelligence, ICT and Digital Technologies for Development,” attracted 237 entries, representing the highest number recorded since the prize began.

Horsfall said the return of a winner should not be interpreted as a relaxation of the standards applied to the competition.

“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.

She commended the Advisory Board and the Panel of Judges for what she described as their professionalism, independence and integrity throughout the adjudication process.

Chairman of the NPSI Advisory Board, Prof. Barth Nnaji, said the unanimous decision to recognise GenScan AI reflected the quality of the innovation and its potential to address important healthcare challenges.

Nnaji said the adjudication process was deliberately structured to identify innovations that went beyond scientific novelty to demonstrate practical relevance, measurable impact and prospects for real-world application.

According to him, GenScan AI distinguished itself by combining advanced artificial intelligence with a practical healthcare application capable of improving the efficiency and accessibility of medical imaging.

2026 award marks the 12th occasion on which 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 will receive the US$100,000 prize at the Grand Award Night scheduled to hold on October 9, 2026.

Her academic and professional background further underscores the significance of the achievement.

She is a First-Class graduate of Computer Science from Goldsmiths, University of London, and holds a Master of Research with Distinction in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning from Imperial College London, where she was a Google DeepMind Scholar.

Akoda has also worked as a software engineer and AI research scientist at Microsoft, including at the Microsoft Mixed Reality and AI Research Lab in Cambridge.

The NPSI said GenScan AI’s recognition reflected the judges’ assessment that the innovation could translate advanced research into a practical solution with measurable benefits for healthcare delivery.

The technology’s potential to shorten MRI procedures could enable medical facilities to conduct more scans within the same period, reduce waiting times for patients and improve the utilisation of existing MRI infrastructure.

For Nigeria’s healthcare system, the potential impact could be particularly significant in settings where limited access to MRI services is compounded by high equipment costs and long patient queues.

NLNG congratulated Akoda and all participants in the 2026 competition, noting that every submission contributes to strengthening Nigeria’s scientific and innovation ecosystem.

The company also commended the Nigerian media for its continued partnership in promoting scientific excellence and encouraging greater public interest in innovations aimed at addressing national challenges.

The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation remains one of NLNG’s flagship initiatives for promoting excellence in scientific research and technological innovation, with the stated objective of encouraging solutions capable of delivering meaningful and sustainable impact on society. (Arise News)