NLNG unveils $20,000 Nigeria Prize for creative arts to inspire young filmmakers

By Chioma Obinna

Nigeria LNG Limited,NLNG, has announced the introduction of The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, a new category under its flagship Nigeria Prizes, aimed at inspiring young Nigerians to tell stories that redefine the nation’s image through creative filmmaking.
The Prize, which targets emerging Nigerian filmmakers aged 18 to 35, will reward outstanding documentary films that celebrate the nation’s identity and promote creativity, innovation, and excellence in storytelling. It comes with an award of $20,000 and will officially open for entries in February 2026, alongside The Nigeria Prize for Science and The Nigeria Prize for Literature.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Sophia Horsfall, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, said the initiative reflects the company’s deep 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, our brilliance, and our resilience through film,” Horsfall said. “This Prize symbolises NLNG’s belief that storytelling is nation-building — that every frame, every voice, and every perspective matters in shaping who we are and who we aspire to be.”
She explained 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 oversee the new category. Other members of the board include Emeritus Professor Olu Obafemi and Professor Ahmed Yerima.
According to Adimora-Ezeigbo, the new prize marks a significant milestone in NLNG’s two-decade journey of celebrating excellence across disciplines.
“The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts is a reaffirmation of our belief that excellence knows no boundaries — it can be written, spoken, or filmed,” she said. “It challenges creators to confront truth, explore memory, and translate experience into meaning.”Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker and Technical Advisor to the Advisory Board, Joel Benson, said the Prize will be benchmarked against international film festival standards, ensuring that winning entries can compete globally.

“The creative energy of Nigeria’s youth deserves a platform that matches its ambition,” Benson said, adding that only short documentaries of no more than 20 minutes will be accepted for the inaugural edition.
Entries will be judged on storytelling craft, originality, production quality, and creativity, among other metrics. 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, an award-winning film director and art historian, and George Ugwuja, a renowned film producer known for high-quality international collaborations.
The Prize cycle will conclude in October 2026 with the announcement of winners at a Grand Award Night sponsored by NLNG.
According to Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at NLNG, the company remains committed to using its platforms to celebrate Nigerian talent and inspire the next generation of creatives to tell powerful stories that elevate the nation’s global image.

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