NSPS Announces Winners of 2026 PhD Thesis Prize Across Five Scientific Disciplines

The Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences (NSPS) has unveiled the winners of its prestigious 2026 PhD Thesis Prize, honouring outstanding doctoral research across five academic categories: Chemistry, Mathematics & Statistics, Earth Sciences, Physics & Astronomy, and Computer Science.

According to the Society, the award recognises doctoral work that demonstrates exceptional scholarly merit, originality, scientific rigour, and meaningful contribution to advancing knowledge in the physical and computational sciences. The recipients were selected following what NSPS described as a rigorous and transparent evaluation process.

Chemistry

The 2026 NSPS PhD Thesis Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Dr Temitope Ogunnupebi, a doctoral graduate of Covenant University.

Her thesis, titled “Structure-Based Design and Synthesis of Benzimidazole, Benzothiazole, and Other Arylated Derivatives as Potential Antimicrobial and Insecticidal Agents,” was commended for its originality, methodological strength, and relevance to contemporary challenges in medicinal and organic chemistry.

Backed by the CUBRe Scholarship, Dr Ogunnupebi has authored over 16 SCOPUS-indexed publications and is a member of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Mathematics & Statistics

The prize in Mathematics & Statistics went to Dr Timilehin Gideon Shaba of Landmark University.

His thesis, “New Derivation of q-Differential and q-Convolution Operators on Certain Subclasses of Analytic Functions,” was hailed for its strong originality and contribution to modern research in complex analysis, geometric function theory, and special functions.

Dr Shaba has earned continental recognition for research impact, with several high-ranking journal publications indexed in Scopus and Web of Science.

Earth Sciences

In the Earth Sciences category, Dr Temitayo Olamide Ale of Adekunle Ajasin University emerged winner.

He was honoured for his thesis, “Geotechnical, Geophysical, and Hydrogeochemical Modelling of Contaminants Flow from Dumpsites around Owo and Ikare-Akoko, Southwestern Nigeria,” which the Society praised for its relevance to environmental geoscience and hydrogeology, particularly in modelling subsurface contaminant migration.

Dr Ale has published widely and is actively involved in academic teaching, mentorship, and editorial engagements.

Physics & Astronomy

The Physics & Astronomy prize was awarded to Dr Paul Oyeyiola Adesina, a doctoral graduate of Redeemer’s University.

His thesis, “Vibrational Dynamics of Driven Oscillators with Phase-Modulated Potential Structures,” was recognised for its analytical depth and significant contributions to theoretical and computational physics.

Dr Adesina, now an assistant lecturer at the University of Ibadan, has authored SCOPUS-indexed journal publications and has been a member of the American Physical Society since 2016.

Computer Science

In Computer Science, the 2026 prize went to Dr Bello Alhaji Buhari of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

His research, “Web-based User Authentication and Access Control: An Enhanced Multi-Factor Biometric Cryptographic Scheme Based on Client File and S13 Quantum Key Distribution Protocol,” was applauded for its technical depth, innovation, and relevance to global cybersecurity challenges.

A senior academic at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Dr Buhari specialises in cybersecurity, authentication systems, and cryptographic protocols.

NSPS announced that the official award ceremony for all recipients will take place on 10 February 2026, where the laureates will be formally decorated and celebrated for their scholarly achievements.