[lyaa]

In fairness, I don't think the lack of Nobel prizes is a valid criticism here. The average time from discovery to a Nobel is close to 30 years at the moment and the Saudis built their first major research university (KAUST) in 2009 and their first university ever in 1961. Their economy started to grow after they got some control over their oil in 1972 so let's say a decade after that is when they could be expected to start spending to any significant degree on research. That only gives them roughly 40 years to get a Nobel which is not enough without systematic support from foreign governments and universities which was not there due to wars, politics, and some internal Saudi policies that limited their ability to attract experts and get access to the latest advanced technologies.