The Prize cycle, which will commence in February 2026 with a call for entry, alongside the other prizes, The Nigeria Prize for Science and The Nigeria Prize for Literature. The Prize comes with the award money of $20,000.
‘Prize targeted at young people in the Creative Arts’
NLNG has stated that the new Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts will target young Nigerians with the aim of inspiring them to tell stories that redefine the nation’s image.
At a press conference in Lagos, the Company announced that the Prize, a new category under its sponsored The Nigeria Prizes will target emerging Nigerian filmmakers aged 18 to 35. The Company also stated further 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 Prize cycle, which will commence in February 2026 with a call for entry, alongside the other prizes, The Nigeria Prize for Science and The Nigeria Prize for Literature. The Prize comes with the award money of $20,000.
Speaking at a press 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 emphasised 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 administer the new category. She will be supported by Emeritus Professor Olu Obafemi and Professor Ahmed Yerima.
Professor Adimor-Ezeigbo noted that the Prize marks a significant milestone in NLNG’s over two-decade journey of celebrating excellence across disciplines.
“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,” she said.
She emphasised that the Prize would align with the overarching strategy of the prizes to reward excellence.
Joel Benson, an Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker and Technical Advisor to Advisory Board, stated that the Prize would be benchmarked against international film festival standards, ensuring that winning entries can compete globally. He added that the creative energy of Nigeria’s youth deserves a platform that matches its ambition.
Benson explained further that only short documentaries of no more than 20 minutes will be accepted in the inaugural edition, adding that entries will be judged on storytelling craft, originality, production quality and creativity, among other metrics.
He 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.
Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku
Manager, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs
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‘Prize is a call to young Nigerians to tell our stories through the lens of documentary film’
(Text of Welcome Remarks by Dr Sophia Horsfall, General Manager External Relations and Sustainable Development, NLNG, at the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts Press conference, held on October 31, 2025, at Sheraton, Lagos)
The rationale for establishing this Prize is simple, yet profound: to recognise, celebrate, and reward outstanding Nigerian creatives; to provide visibility and support for both contemporary and traditional art forms; to strengthen national and international recognition of Nigerian culture; and to support the growth of Nigeria’s creative sector, one of the most dynamic sectors of our economy today.
Dr Horsfall
GOOD morning, distinguished ladies and gentlemen of the press and our valued partners in the creative industry.
Permit me to be a little philosophical this morning. At the heart of every great civilisation lies a story; a story that defines who they are, what they value, and how they see the world. Storytelling goes far beyond being a form of art. It is humanity’s oldest form of memory. It is how we preserve our history, our culture, our love, our resilience, and our dreams.
For us at NLNG, storytelling sits at the centre of everything we do. It shapes how we express our purpose, “providing energy to improve lives sustainably”. Every time we deliver energy to light homes, power industries, or enable education and healthcare, we are not just exporting LNG; we are telling a Nigerian story. It is one of innovation, resilience, and progress.
That is why today’s conversation on The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts is such a defining moment for us. On the 10th of October 2025, our Managing Director, Dr Philip Mshelbila, announced the emergence of this new category of The Nigeria Prizes, with a focus on Documentary Film, open to Nigerians aged 18 to 35.
In his words, and I quote: “Film has the power to engage young people in shaping the future with our culture, our history, and our present. NLNG’s brand promise is to inspire a sustainable future. And this means reflecting on the world around us and acting to create positive change.”
The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts was designed to complement our existing prizes in Literature and Science by rewarding excellence in cultural and artistic contributions.
The rationale for establishing this Prize is simple, yet profound: to recognise, celebrate, and reward outstanding Nigerian creatives; to provide visibility and support for both contemporary and traditional art forms; to strengthen national and international recognition of Nigerian culture; and to support the growth of Nigeria’s creative sector, one of the most dynamic sectors of our economy today.
This Prize is, in many ways, a response to a generational call. It is a call to young Nigerians to tell our stories. Through the lens of documentary film, we will see Nigeria as Nigerians see it: in all its vibrancy, complexity, and creativity.
We believe this Prize will inspire a new generation of filmmakers who will inform, challenge, and connect us more deeply to who we are as a people. It holds the potential to become Africa’s leading platform for creative arts, fostering a new wave of cultural thought leaders and building a rich archive of prize-winning works that will stand as part of Nigeria’s enduring cultural legacy.
In a world where stories shape perception, this Prize affirms that Nigeria’s narrative should be told by young, bold, imaginative Nigerians. Through them, we can reshape how the world sees us and how we see ourselves.
Storytelling can build a nation, I believe strongly. We have seen this happen across the world: how one film, one book, one creative expression can transform perceptions, spark conversations, and awaken pride. We believe it can happen here too in Nigeria.
So today, as we unveil this new chapter, let us remember that storytelling is not just entertainment; it is empowerment. It is how nations are built, how identities are preserved, and how legacies endure.
The Prize will officially commence in 2026 and carries a value of $20,000, to be awarded to the best entry or entries.
Thank you for joining us on this journey. Together, let us tell the Nigerian story.
Dr Horsfall with Head of Jury of the NPCA, Dr Sam Dede
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Prize… a reaffirmation that creativity has no boundaries
(Remarks by Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Nigeria Prize for Literature and the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo)
The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, with a focus on Documentary Filmmaking, stands as a reaffirmation of our collective belief that excellence knows no boundary. It can be written, spoken, or filmed. This new Prize challenges our young documentary filmmakers to explore memory, interrogate experience, and translate reality into meaning
Prof Ezeigbo (2nd right), flanked from Left by Joel Benson, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, Dr Horsfall, and Prof Olu Obafemi
IT is an honour for me and my distinguished colleagues, Emeritus Professor Olu Obafemi and Professor Ahmed Yerima, to administer this new and exciting addition to The Nigeria Prizes on behalf of NLNG.
The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, with a focus on Documentary Filmmaking, stands as a reaffirmation of our collective belief that excellence knows no boundary. It can be written, spoken, or filmed. This new Prize challenges our young documentary filmmakers to explore memory, interrogate experience, and translate reality into meaning.
Like its sister Prizes in Literature and Science, The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts will be guided by the same enduring principles of Excellence and Integrity, values that have defined the character of the Prizes for over two decades.
To support the Advisory Board in this task of administering this new prize, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Joel Kachi Benson as Technical Adviser to the Board.
Joel, born in Aba, Abia State, is a visionary filmmaker and creative director whose career has broken boundaries and made history. His debut film, In Bakassi (2018), was Nigeria’s first virtual reality documentary, immersing audiences in the emotional journey of an orphaned boy living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in a Maiduguri Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camp. He went on to direct Daughters of Chibok (2019), a documentary about the mothers of abducted schoolgirls, which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival and won the Venice Lion for Best Virtual Reality (VR) Story, the first ever awarded to an African filmmaker.
In June 2025, he achieved another historic feat with his Disney Original Documentary, Madu, which won the Outstanding Arts & Culture Documentary at the 46th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards in New York, the first Emmy ever awarded to a Nigerian documentary. His works have featured at the Berlin Film Festival, Hot Docs, Cannes XR, the Phi Centre, and the British Film Institute, among many others.
We are delighted to have Joel on board as Technical Adviser. His experience, creativity, and international acclaim will no doubt enrich the Prize process and inspire a generation of Nigerian filmmakers to dream even bigger.
The Advisory Board remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold the highest standards of excellence and integrity. These values will continue to guide the judging process and ensure that The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts becomes a beacon of trust, transparency, and distinction.
We look forward to the journey ahead.
Thank you.
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Technical requirements for the Prize for Creative Arts
- Presentation by Joel Kachi Bension, Technical Adviser to the Advisory Board at Prize Press conference, on October 31st, 2025, Lagos.
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
Joel Beanson, with Anne-Marie Ikuku and Dr Horsfall
IT is a privilege to be part of The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts from the very beginning of its journey. 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. We must commend NLNG for the foresight, commitment, and vision behind this historic initiative.
The journey for the Prize did not begin in a vacuum. In September 2025, NLNG and the Advisory Board convened a roundtable with key stakeholders across the creative and filmmaking community to shape the vision and framework of the new Prize. It was a robust and honest conversation, and it produced valuable insights into how the Prize could best reflect the aspirations of our youth while meeting the highest international standards. Those conversations provided the roadmap that guided its design and sustainability, culminating in the official announcement by NLNG’s Managing Director, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, in October 2025.
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.
Prize Cycle and Eligibility
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. I’d like to reiterate that this inaugural edition of the prize is open to all short films made, and/or completed between April 2024 and April 2026. This prize is only open to NON-FICTION FILMS that are 20 minutes and under.
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.
Theme: IDENTITY
One important detail I would like to emphasise is the theme for this inaugural edition: IDENTITY.
This year’s theme, IDENTITY, invites Nigerian filmmakers 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.
The Prize is interested in stories that reflect on belonging, transformation, heritage, and self-definition — whether personal, social, political, artistic or spiritual. Your film might examine how identity is formed, questioned, celebrated, or even lost.
There’s no single interpretation we’re looking for. IDENTITY can be as intimate as a personal portrait or as expansive as a collective story. It could be expressed through place, language, faith, memory, gender, or something entirely different.
What matters most is authenticity — how your documentary captures the truth of what identity means in your chosen context.
Submission Guidelines
The Call for Entries will clearly outline eligibility criteria, submission requirements, and the values the Prize seeks to promote. Each entry will include:
- A Short Artistic Statement articulating the thought process and story behind the film.
- Compliance with all eligibility limits — including age, nationality, length of film, theme, and year of completion.
- Only short documentaries of no more than 20 minutes will be accepted. These entries will be judged using robust and transparent metrics designed to ensure excellence and fairness.
Judging Process
Following the Call for Entries, the adjudication process will unfold in several phases, including longlisting, shortlisting, and background checks, culminating in the announcement of the winner in October 2026 during NLNG’s Grand Award Night.
This timeline ensures that every stage — from evaluation to final announcement — is conducted with fairness, objectivity, and broad public engagement.
With the permission of the Advisory Board and NLNG, I am pleased to unveil the judges for the inaugural cycle of The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts.
The judging panel will be chaired by Dr. Sam Dede, a veteran actor, director, and senior lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, and one of the most influential figures in Nigeria’s creative industry, with a distinguished career spanning over three decades.
He will be joined by Adeola Aderonke, an award-winning film director, art historian, scriptwriter, and producer, whose documentary Awani won the UNESCO Prize at the 2019 African Film Festival; and George Ugwuja, a renowned film producer who has delivered high-quality work for international organisations including Haier Biomedical, the United Nations, and Plan International.
During the judging period, there will also be opportunities for the public to engage with and interact with the longlisted and shortlisted works, encouraging a wider appreciation of documentary storytelling in Nigeria.
Entries will be evaluated against globally recognised standards, aligning with the benchmarks used by leading international film festivals. The judging criteria will focus on storytelling craft, originality, production quality, creativity, and overall impact.
All relevant details, including submission links, criteria, and updates, will be available on the official Prize website: www.thenigeriaprizes.org.
Closing
As a filmmaker, I can confidently say that this is a defining moment.
I call on all filmmakers to seize this opportunity. Participate. Create. Tell your story. Show the world who we are.
I look forward to an incredible inaugural cycle.
Thank you.