Architecture prize to reward Nigeria’s best graduates from UNICROSS underway

From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar

A new architecture foundation plans to institute what could become Nigeria’s largest cash prize for architecture graduates to rescue young architects from post-graduation financial hardship.

The Ovats Architecture Foundation has opened talks with the University of Cross River State, UNICROSS, to institute the Linus Ovat award for excellence in Architecture for the best graduating student in Architecture.

Founder, Precious Ovat, said the award, expected to debut at UNICROSS’s forthcoming convocation, is projected to grow into the biggest financial prize of its kind among Nigerian universities.

UNICROSS was chosen because Ovat began his tertiary education there when it was CRUTECH, and Calabar is his birthplace.

“There is extraordinary talent across Africa, but talent needs opportunity and support to reach its full potential,” Ovat said.

He said many graduates struggle after school despite having ability and qualifications.

“For many graduates, completing university is only the beginning of another difficult period. We want to provide support during that transition to prevent talented people from being lost to the profession,” he said.

Beyond the award, the foundation plans to provide grants for recent graduates, support for undergraduates facing financial barriers, and create pathways linking African talent to local and international opportunities through competitions and networking events.

The foundation, established on July 19, 2026 and registered on September 14, 2026, is named after Linus Ovat, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects and father of the founder, who served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works (2011-2016) and Special Projects (2016-2017).