Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has unveiled The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, a new addition to its suite of prestigious national prizes, aimed at inspiring young Nigerians to tell compelling stories that redefine the country’s image through the power of film.
Announcing the initiative at a press conference in Lagos, the Company said the Prize will specifically target emerging Nigerian filmmakers aged 18 to 35, challenging them to produce documentary films that celebrate national identity and reshape global perceptions of Nigeria through information, creativity, and visual excellence.
According to NLNG, the inaugural Prize cycle will commence in February 2026 with a call for entries, alongside The Nigeria Prize for Science and The Nigeria Prize for Literature. The Creative Arts Prize carries an award of $20,000 and will focus exclusively on short documentary films.
Speaking at the launch, Sophia Horsfall, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, said the initiative underscores the company’s deep commitment to nurturing creative capital as a vital component 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. This Prize symbolises NLNG’s belief that storytelling is nation-building, and that every frame, voice, and perspective matters in shaping who we are and who we aspire to be,” Horsfall stated.
She added that the Prize seeks to bridge Nigeria’s dynamic youth population with the broader creative industry, strengthening the nation’s voice on the global stage while promoting unity and understanding through storytelling.
The new category 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, with Emeritus Professor Olu Obafemi and Professor Ahmed Yerima as members.
Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo described the introduction of the Prize as a milestone in NLNG’s two-decade-long journey 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 challenges creators to confront truth, explore memory, and translate experience into meaning,” she said, noting that the Prize aligns with the overall strategy of rewarding creativity and excellence.
Joel Benson, an Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker and Technical Advisor to the Advisory Board, explained that the Prize will adhere to international film festival standards to ensure winning entries are globally competitive. He noted that the inaugural edition will accept only short documentaries of no more than 20 minutes, which will be judged on storytelling craft, originality, production quality, and creativity.
Benson also revealed that the judging panel will be chaired by Dr. Sam Dede, veteran actor, director, and senior lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt. Other judges include Adeola Aderonke, award-winning film director, art historian, and producer, and George Ugwuja, an acclaimed film producer known for his work with international organisations.
The Prize cycle will conclude in October 2026, culminating in the announcement of the winner at the Grand Award Night sponsored by NLNG.
