NLNG Launches The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts

NLNG Launches The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, Championing the Next Generation of Nigerian Storytellers

The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) has officially launched The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, a groundbreaking initiative that reinforces the company’s long-standing commitment to excellence, innovation, and nation-building through storytelling.

The announcement was made at a press conference in Lagos on October 31, 2025, marking a significant evolution in NLNG’s cultural investment transitioning from its previous Literary Criticism category to a bold new focus on documentary filmmaking, a medium known for its power to reveal truth, emotion, and the human experience.

A Vision for Nigeria’s Creative Future

The event brought together industry leaders, creatives, and journalists, highlighting NLNG’s dedication to empowering Nigeria’s emerging storytellers. Dr. Sophia Horsfall, General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, opened the event, joined by Professor Akachi Ezeigbo, Chairman of the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature and Creative Arts; Professor Olu Obafemi, a member of the advisory board; and Anne-Marie Palmer Ikuku, Manager of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs.

Also at the high table was Joel Kachi Benson, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and newly appointed Technical Advisor to the Advisory Board. Benson, known for pioneering Nigeria’s first virtual reality documentary In Bakassi (2018) and the acclaimed Daughters of Chibok, brings international credibility and creative depth to the new prize.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Horsfall described the initiative as part of NLNG’s broader mission to build a better Nigeria through youth empowerment.

“The 18 to 35 age group is Nigeria’s largest and most dynamic population,” she noted. “By focusing the prize on this demographic, we’re investing directly in the future recognising, amplifying, and rewarding young Nigerians who use creativity as a force for positive change.”

She also explained that shifting from literary criticism to creative arts allows NLNG to embrace innovation and storytelling as essential tools for social transformation.

“This prize reflects our commitment to creativity, innovation, and youth empowerment values that lie at the heart of nation-building,” she added.

A Platform for Truth and Identity

The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts will celebrate non-fiction short documentaries (20 minutes or less) produced between April 2024 and April 2026, and is open to Nigerians aged 18–35, both at home and abroad.

The inaugural theme, “Identity,” invites filmmakers to explore personal, social, political, artistic, or spiritual dimensions of what it means to be Nigerian or human. Entries open in February 2026 and close in April 2026, with the winner announced at NLNG’s Grand Award Night in October 2026.

“Filmmakers can start developing their ideas now,” Benson encouraged, underscoring the prize’s mission to inspire early creative planning and excellence.

The Jury and Judging Process

A distinguished panel of judges will oversee the prize, led by Dr. Sam Dede, veteran actor, director, and film educator; Aderonke Adeola Osunkojo, award-winning director celebrated for her powerful storytelling; and George Uguja, respected producer and advocate for African cinema.

Together, they represent a fusion of experience and innovation, ensuring a fair and rigorous selection process rooted in integrity and excellence.

Joel Kachi Benson’s Vision

In his address, Benson highlighted the transformative potential of documentary filmmaking:

“This prize is more than an award it’s a call to action. We’re challenging young Nigerians to use film to inform, educate, inspire, and reimagine our country. Documentary film has the power to shape perception, spark dialogue, and restore pride and dignity to our narratives.”

His role as technical advisor is expected to strengthen the creative mentorship process and inspire authenticity among young entrants.

Building on a Legacy of Excellence

With this new initiative, NLNG expands its legacy of supporting intellectual and creative excellence alongside The Nigeria Prize for Literature and The Nigeria Prize for Science—two of Africa’s most prestigious recognitions of innovation.

The $20,000 prize underscores NLNG’s commitment to blending corporate responsibility with social impact, empowering the next generation to tell stories that matter.

“At NLNG, we believe in the power of ideas and the people who bring them to life,” Dr. Sophia concluded. “This is not just about filmmaking it’s about preserving memory, interrogating experience, and transforming reality into meaning.”

A New Chapter for Nigerian Storytelling

The launch of The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts marks the dawn of a new era for Nigeria’s creative ecosystem. It’s an open invitation to young filmmakers to reclaim the narrative, tell authentic stories, and shape the nation’s cultural identity through truth and creativity.

With this bold step, NLNG reaffirms its role as more than an energy company it stands as a catalyst for culture, innovation, and national pride.

The future of Nigerian documentary filmmaking starts now and its heartbeat lies in every young storyteller ready to turn vision into art.