As Nigeria’s foremost association of theatre and creative arts practitioners, NANTAP celebrates NLNG’s continued commitment to advancing excellence in the arts. We look forward to future collaborations that will further enrich the ecosystem—through mentorship, capacity development, and artistic engagement—towards building a generation of storytellers who can truly “own our narrative
THE apex body for theatre arts professionals in the country, National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), has commended the management of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, for initiating the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, which it describes as a “visionary addition to the Nigeria Prizes family”.
The association, in a public statement, noted in particular, that it is impressive that the inaugural focus of the prize would be on Documentary Filmmaking; more so as the $20,000 prize project, is focusing on young Nigerians between age 18 and 35 years old.
The national gas company had, on October 8, at the Grand Award Nite of its flagship prize project, the $100,000 Nigeria Prize for Literature, NPL, announced that it was creating the $20,000 Creative Industries prize to give more opportunities for those in other artistic disciplines (creative industries) to benefit from its Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR schemes. The Managing Director of the company, Msheila, in his statement at the Gala night, said that the maiden edition of the prize would be devoted to documentary filmmaking, while subsequent editions would focus on other disciplines. He also hinted that the company would discontinue the $10,000 Literary Criticisms prize, and instead divert the money to the newly-conceived Creative Industries Prize.
“This laudable initiative, which seeks to empower young Nigerian storytellers aged 18–35 with a $20,000 award, aligns deeply with NANTAP’s mission to nurture creativity, promote cultural identity, and strengthen the creative economy through performance, film, and storytelling,” said Adeniran Makinde, President of NANTAP.
He continues: “By spotlighting documentary filmmaking, NLNG has not only expanded the frontiers of creative recognition in Nigeria but has also created a powerful platform for young voices to explore truth, interrogate experience, and shape Nigeria’s image with authenticity and purpose.”
Adeniran, a renowned theatre director and fellow of Theatre Arts, fta, , added: “As Nigeria’s foremost association of theatre and creative arts practitioners, NANTAP celebrates NLNG’s continued commitment to advancing excellence in the arts. We look forward to future collaborations that will further enrich the ecosystem—through mentorship, capacity development, and artistic engagement—towards building a generation of storytellers who can truly “own our narrative.
He concluded the statement, thus: “We congratulate the NLNG management, the Advisory Board chaired by Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, and the visionary minds behind this remarkable expansion of The Nigeria Prizes.
“Together, let us continue to tell Nigeria’s story with honesty, creativity, and pride.”