Uche Cecil Izuora
Five documentary films have emerged as finalists for the inaugural Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts (NPCA) on 25 August 2026, following a rigorous judging process, narrowing the field from the 11 nominees unveiled earlier and moving their creators one step closer to becoming the Prize’s first winner.
The five shortlisted documentaries are Beyond Tarkwa Bay by Peter Oghenetega Oke; Mara Mania by Feranmi Abiola; No Food for Lazy Man by Ummi Bukar; Okrika by Abraham Ayodele Aiwuyuse; and Women of Salt: The Resilience of Ebonyi’s Women by Jessica Chinyere.
The five works emerged from the inaugural edition of the Prize, which attracted 98 submissions from young Nigerian creatives responding to the theme, “Identity.” The theme invited filmmakers to explore Nigeria, its people, communities, cultures and the evolving sense of what it means to be Nigerian.
Their selection marks another significant stage in the journey of the maiden Prize, as the filmmakers move from the initial pool of entries through the 11-nominee stage to the final shortlist.
The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), was established in 2025 to identify, recognise and promote outstanding creative works by young Nigerians aged 18 to 35 years. The US$20,000 Prize provides a platform for emerging documentary filmmakers to tell original Nigerian stories and gain national and international recognition for their work.
The five shortlisted works bring distinct perspectives to the Nigerian experience, continuing the creative exploration of identity that has defined the inaugural edition of the Prize.
From the resilience of women in Ebonyi to life around Tarkwa Bay, the character of Okrika, and other deeply personal and social narratives, the documentaries reflect the diversity of experiences that make up contemporary Nigeria.
The shortlist also underscores the strength of Nigeria’s emerging creative talent and the growing confidence of young filmmakers to tell Nigerian stories from their own perspectives.
Speaking on the progression of the Prize, the Chairperson of the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, noted that the quality and diversity of submissions demonstrated the depth of Nigeria’s emerging creative talent and the ability of young filmmakers to engage thoughtfully with the country’s stories.
With the field now narrowed to five, attention turns to the final stage of adjudication ahead of the announcement of the winner at NLNG’s Grand Award Night in October 2026. The winning documentary will become the first work to receive The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts.