Uche Cecil Izuora
A total of 98 entries were received at the close of submissions for the maiden edition of The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, which closed on Thursday.
The inaugural edition focuses on documentary filmmaking on Nigeria’s story under the theme “Identity,” with Nigerian youths aged 35 and below invited to participate.
The handover of entries marks a significant milestone in the Prize cycle, underscoring the strong interest and enthusiasm the initiative has generated among Nigeria’s vibrant creative community.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, NLNG, Sophia Horsfall, described the volume and quality of entries as a clear indication of the immense creative potential among young Nigerians and the relevance of the Prize in amplifying their voices.
The General Manager who was represented by the Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, said, “The remarkable response to the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts reaffirms our belief in the power of storytelling as a tool for national development. These entries reflect the passion, innovation, and depth of talent within Nigeria’s youth, who are eager to shape narratives that project the country positively to the world.”
Horsfall noted that the Prize is designed to inspire a new generation of storytellers to produce compelling documentary films that celebrate Nigeria’s identity, heritage, and resilience, while contributing to global conversations through authentic African perspectives.
She further emphasised that the initiative aligns with NLNG’s broader commitment to human capital development and the promotion of excellence across disciplines, building on the legacy of The Nigeria Prize for Literature and The Nigeria Prize for Science.
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 adjudication process, with the support of Joel Benson who is the Technical Advisor to the Advisory Board, ensuring that entries are evaluated with the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, and integrity.
Receiving the entries on behalf of the Judges and Advisory Board, Prof Adimora-Ezeigbo said with the submission of the entries, “the prize has come alive”.
She praised the secretariat for their dedication in delivering the entries and for their commitment to the success of the prizes.
She reminded the Judges that they were carefully selected due to their depth of experience, integrity and creativity and urged them to ensure that excellence is maintained as the foundation for their assessment.
Prof Adimora-Ezigbo said “NLNG is the best thing to have happened to Nigeria – Nigeria Literature, creative arts and documentary.”
The submitted works will now undergo a rigorous adjudication process by the panel of judges, with entries assessed based on originality, storytelling, production quality, and overall impact.
The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, which carries a cash award of $20,000, is part of NLNG’s sustained investment in promoting creativity, innovation, and national development.
The Prize cycle will culminate in October 2026 with the announcement of the winner at the Grand Award Night.
Through this initiative, NLNG continues to demonstrate its commitment to empowering young Nigerians, strengthening the creative industry, and projecting Nigeria’s stories to the global stage.