By Prisca Sam-Duru
In a strategic plan targeting young Nigerians with the aim of inspiring them to tell stories that redefine Nigeria’s image, NLNG has launched a new Prize category, The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts.
Presented under the NLNG-sponsored The Nigeria Prizes, the Nigeria Prize For Creative Arts, which focuses on Documentary films, takes off in February 2026 with “Identity”, as the inaugural theme. The Prize comes with the award money of $20,000.
At a press conference in Lagos, the Company announced that the new Prize will target emerging Nigerian filmmakers aged 18 to 35, adding that the Prize will challenge young Nigerians to produce documentary films that celebrate the nation’s identity and reshape global perceptions of Nigeria through information, creativity, and visual excellence.
The new Prize cycle commences in February 2026 with a call for entry, alongside the other prizes- The Nigeria Prize for Science and The Nigeria Prize for Literature.
Speaking during the conference, Sophia Horsfall, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, explained that the initiative reflects NLNG’s deep commitment to nurturing creative capital as part of national development.
“The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts is an invitation for young Nigerians to own their narrative, to show the world our complexity, our brilliance, and our resilience through film. This Prize symbolises NLNG’s belief that storytelling is nation-building that every frame, every voice, and every perspective matters in the shaping of who we are and who we aspire to be,” Horsfall said.
She added that the initiative bridges Nigeria’s dynamic youth population and the broader creative industry, strengthening the nation’s voice globally while promoting unity and understanding through storytelling.
The Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature and The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, chaired by Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, will also administer the new category. She will be supported by Emeritus Professor Olu Obafemi and Professor Ahmed Yerima.
During the conference, Prof. Adimora-Ezeigbo noted that the Prize marks a significant milestone in NLNG’s over two-decade journey of celebrating excellence across disciplines, noting that
“The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts is a reaffirmation of our belief that excellence knows no boundary. It can be written, spoken, or filmed. It asks its creators to confront truth, explore memory, and translate experience into meaning.”
While emphasising that the Prize will align with the overarching strategy of the prizes to reward excellence, she expressed delight for having Joel on board as Technical Adviser disclosing that “His experience, creativity, and international acclaim will no doubt enrich the Prize process and inspire a generation of Nigerian filmmakers to dream even bigger.”
On his part, Joel Benson, an Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker and Technical Advisor to the Advisory Board, stated: “The community of documentary filmmakers will agree with me that this is, without question, one of the most significant developments in Nigerian and African documentary filmmaking. And I commend “NLNG for the foresight, commitment, and vision behind this historic initiative.”
Benson further said, “Through this Prize, we hope to build a vibrant ecosystem of talented storytellers whose works will not only move Nigerians but also resonate across borders, inspiring understanding and pride in our shared Nigerian identity.”
He hinted that “the Prize will be benchmarked against international film festival standards, ensuring that winning entries can compete globally,” adding that “the creative energy of Nigeria’s youth deserves a platform that matches its ambition.”
Only non-fiction and short documentaries of no more than 20 minutes or under will be accepted in the inaugural edition, Benson said, adding that “entries will be judged on storytelling craft, originality, production quality and creativity, among other metrics.”
Throwing more light on the Prize Cycle and Eligibility, Benson stressed that “The Prize cycle will officially commence in February 2026, with a Call for Entries running until April 2026.
This three-month window will provide ample time for submission of short documentary films completed between April 2024 and April 2026.
“The inaugural edition of the prize is open to all short films made and/or completed between April 2024 and April 2026. The Prize will be open exclusively to Nigerians aged 18 to 35, reaffirming our commitment to empowering young voices — the next generation of storytellers who will define how Nigeria is seen and understood by the world.”
Regarding the theme “Identity”, Benson explained that Nigerian filmmakers are to use the genre of documentary film to explore who we are — as individuals, communities, and cultures — and how that shapes the way we see the world.”
He also revealed that the judging panel will be chaired by Dr. Sam Dede, a veteran actor, director, and senior lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt. He will be joined by Adeola Aderonke, an award-winning film director, art historian, scriptwriter, and producer, and George Ugwuja, a renowned film producer who has delivered high-quality work for international organisations.
The prize cycle will end in October 2026 with the announcement of the final verdict at the Grand Award Night, sponsored by NLNG.
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