The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) has introduced The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, a new category under its prestigious Nigeria Prizes initiative, aimed at empowering young Nigerian storytellers and filmmakers to shape a renewed national image through creative expression.
Unveiled at a press conference in Lagos, the new prize will focus on documentary filmmaking and is targeted at Nigerians aged 18 to 35. The initiative seeks to inspire participants to produce short documentary films that celebrate the country’s identity, culture, and resilience while reshaping global perceptions of Nigeria through creativity and visual excellence.
The prize, which carries a cash award of $20,000, will officially open for entries in February 2026 alongside The Nigeria Prize for Science and The Nigeria Prize for Literature.
Storytelling as Nation-Building
Speaking during the launch, Sophia Horsfall, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, said the new category underscores the company’s commitment to nurturing Nigeria’s 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, brilliance, and resilience through film. Storytelling is nation-building, and every frame, voice, and perspective matters in shaping who we are and who we aspire to be,” Horsfall said.
She noted that the initiative connects Nigeria’s dynamic youth population with the global creative industry, amplifying the country’s voice on international platforms while promoting unity and cultural understanding through storytelling.
Building on NLNG’s Legacy of Excellence
The prize will be administered by the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature and The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, chaired by Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, alongside Emeritus Professor Olu Obafemi and Professor Ahmed Yerima.
Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo described the new prize as a landmark moment in NLNG’s 20-year legacy of promoting excellence across disciplines.
“The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts reaffirms our belief that excellence knows no boundary, it can be written, spoken, or filmed. It calls on creators to confront truth, explore memory, and translate experience into meaning,” she said.
Raising Global Standards for Nigerian Creativity
Adding his perspective, Joel Benson, an Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker and Technical Advisor to the Advisory Board, stated that the prize would meet international film festival standards to ensure global competitiveness.
“Nigeria’s youth have immense creative energy that deserves a world-class platform. The Prize will benchmark entries against international standards, ensuring that winning documentaries can compete globally,” Benson said.
He added that only short documentaries of no more than 20 minutes will be accepted in the inaugural edition, with judging based on storytelling craft, originality, production quality, and creativity.
The judging panel will be chaired by Dr. Sam Dede, a veteran actor, director, and senior lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt. Other judges include Adeola Aderonke, an award-winning film director, art historian, and scriptwriter, and George Ugwuja, a renowned film producer known for his high-quality work with international organizations.
The prize cycle will conclude in October 2026 with a Grand Award Night in Lagos, where the overall winner will be announced.
Empowering Nigeria’s Youth Through Creativity
Through The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, NLNG continues to strengthen its legacy of supporting intellectual and cultural excellence. The company believes that empowering young creatives is vital to reshaping Nigeria’s global image and driving national unity through artistic innovation.
NLNG launches The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts to empower young Nigerian filmmakers (ages 18–35) with a $20,000 award, inspiring them to tell authentic stories that reshape Nigeria’s image globally through documentary storytelling.
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