Nigeria’s image is set to get a cinematic makeover as NLNG chalenges young filmmakers with the launch of a new award: The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts.
With a focus on documentary film and a top prize of $20,000, the company is directly challenging the nation’s brightest young creatives to define and celebrate the Nigerian story.
The inaugural theme, “Identity,” is a clear call to action for filmmakers between the ages of 18 and 35. Announced at a press conference in Lagos, the new award category aims to inspire a generation of visual storytellers to produce films that showcase the country’s brilliance and complexity to a global audience.
Speaking during the conference, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, described the initiative as an investment in the national creative economy.
“This is an invitation for young Nigerians to take control of their narrative,” Horsfall declared. “This Prize is NLNG’s belief that storytelling is a powerful tool for nation-building, and we want to empower the next generation to show the world the resilience and depth of our people.”
The Prize for Creative Arts officially kicks off in February 2026, joining the prestigious NLNG-sponsored The Nigeria Prize for Science and The Nigeria Prize for Literature.
The Advisory Board for the Nigeria Prize for Literature chaired by Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, will oversee the new category. Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo expressed delight that the prize is expanding the concept of excellence. “Excellence is not just written or spoken; it can be filmed,” she noted, adding that the prize encourages creators to “confront truth, explore memory, and translate experience into meaning.”
Emmy-award winner Joel Benson, who serves as Technical Advisor, called the new prize a “significant development” for Nigerian and African documentary filmmaking.
“We hope to build a vibrant ecosystem of talented storytellers whose works will not only move Nigerians but also resonate across borders,” Benson stated. He stressed that the competition will be benchmarked against international film festival standards, giving winners a platform that matches their global ambition.
The inaugural edition is exclusively for short documentaries of 20 minutes or less. Entries must be non-fiction films completed between April 2024 and April 2026, judged on their originality, production quality, and storytelling craft. Benson also urged young filmmakers to use the “Identity” theme to deeply explore what it means to be Nigerian—as individuals, communities, and cultures.
Entries will be judged by a distinguished panel led by veteran actor and director Dr. Sam Dede, alongside award-winning director Adeola Aderonke and renowned producer George Ugwuja. The winner will be announced at the Grand Award Night in October 2026.
