From Our Correspondent
Lagos, Nov. 1, ’25 (TNZ) The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) has initiated new ‘The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts’, targeting young Nigerians.
TheNewsZenith reports that NLNG announced this at a press conference in Lagos. It said the new Prize is to inspire young Nigerians to tell stories that redefines the nation’s image.
The Prize, a new category under its sponsored-The Nigeria Prizes, will target emerging Nigerian filmmakers aged 18 to 35.
NLNG stated further that the Prize would challenge young Nigerians to produce documentary films that celebrate the nation’s identity. It would also reshape global perceptions of Nigeria through information, creativity, and visual excellence.
The Prize cycle, which will begin in February 2026, with a call for entry, alongside other prizes, comes with award money of $20,000.
TheNewsZenith recalls that two existing prizes are ‘Nigeria Prize for Science’ and ‘Nigeria Prize for Literature’.
Sophia Horsfall, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, at the conference, explained that the initiative reflects NLNG’s commitment to nurturing 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.
This Prize symbolises NLNG’s belief that storytelling is nation-building that every frame, every voice, and every perspective matters in the shaping of who we are and who we aspire to be, Horsfall said.
She emphasised 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.
Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Chairperson of the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prizes l, will administer the new category.
Emeritus Prof. Olu Obafemi and Prof. Ahmed Yerima will support the chairman at the event.
Adimor-Ezeigbo remarked that the Prize marks a significant milestone in NLNG’s two-decade journey of celebrating excellence across disciplines.
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“The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts is a reaffirmation of our belief that excellence knows no boundary.
”It can be written, spoken, or filmed. It asks its creators to confront truth, explore memory, and translate experience into meaning,” TheNewsZenith quotes the chairperson as saying.
She emphasised that the prize would align with the overarching strategy of the prizes to reward excellence.
Joel Benson, an Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker and Technical Advisor to Adivsory Board, said the Prize would match the standards of international film festival.
Benson assured that the board would also ensure that winning entries can compete globally.
The Technical Advisor added that the creative energy of Nigeria’s youth deserves a platform that matches its ambition.
He explained further that the board would accept only 20-minute documentaries in the inaugural edition.
Benson added that entries will be judged on storytelling craft, originality, production quality and creativity, among other metrics.
He said Dr Sam Dede, a veteran actor and senior lecturer, would head the judging panel.
Adeola Aderonke, an award-winning film director, art historian, scriptwriter, and producer and George Ugwuja, a renowned film producer who has delivered high-quality work for international organisations would also join the panel.
The prize cycle will end in October 2026 with the announcement of the final verdict at the Grand Award Night, sponsored by NLNG. (TNZ)
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