The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, NLNG has announced a new addition to its line-up of prestigious national awards — The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, a $20,000 prize dedicated to celebrating excellence in documentary filmmaking. The initiative, unveiled at a press conference in Lagos on October 31st, 2025, marks a significant milestone in NLNG’s long-standing commitment to promoting culture, innovation, and youth empowerment in Nigeria’s creative industry.
Welcoming guests at the event, Sophia Horsfall, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, described storytelling as the heartbeat of civilisation and the foundation of human memory. “At the heart of every great civilisation lies a story,” she said. “It defines who they are, what they value, and how they see the world. Storytelling goes far beyond being a form of art — it is how we preserve our history, culture, love, resilience, and dreams.”
Horsfall noted that storytelling sits at the centre of NLNG’s purpose of “providing energy to improve lives sustainably.” Every time the company delivers energy to power homes, industries, or essential services, she said, it is also telling a Nigerian story — one of innovation, resilience, and progress. The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, according to her, represents a generational call to young Nigerians to tell their own stories through the powerful lens of documentary film.
She explained that the new prize complements NLNG’s existing prizes in Literature and Science and will officially commence in 2026. The Prize is open to Nigerians aged 18 to 35, with a focus on short non-fiction films not exceeding 20 minutes. “In a world where stories shape perception,” she added, “this Prize affirms that Nigeria’s narrative should be told by young, bold, imaginative Nigerians. Through them, we can reshape how the world sees us — and how we see ourselves.”
Horsfall reminded the audience that storytelling is not just entertainment but empowerment. “It is how nations are built, how identities are preserved, and how legacies endure,” she said.
“This Prize is our collective invitation to young Nigerians to tell our stories with courage and creativity.” She added.
On her own part, , Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Chairman of the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature and The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts expressed optimism that the new category would inspire a new generation of cultural storytellers.
“The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts stands as a reaffirmation of our collective belief that excellence knows no boundary,” she said. “It can be written, spoken, or filmed.”
Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo who was joined by Emeritus Professor Olu Obafemi and Professor Ahmed Yerima, both members of the Advisory Board also announced the appointment of award-winning filmmaker Joel Kachi Benson as Technical Adviser to the Board, describing him as a creative force whose achievements reflect the heights Nigerian filmmakers can reach. Benson’s global acclaim includes his Emmy-winning Madu documentary and Daughters of Chibok, which earned Africa’s first Venice Lion for Best Virtual Reality Story.
Presenting the technical framework for the Prize, Benson explained that it was the product of a stakeholder roundtable held in September 2025, where industry experts and creatives shaped its design and sustainability. He emphasised that the inaugural edition, themed Identity, invites young Nigerians to explore who they are as individuals and as a nation through the stories that define belonging, heritage, and transformation.
“The Prize is interested in authentic stories that reflect on how we see ourselves and the world around us,” Benson said. “Identity can be expressed through place, memory, language, or culture. What matters most is truth and originality.”
He revealed that the call for entries will open in February 2026 and close in April 2026. All entries must be short documentary films completed between April 2024 and April 2026. A three-member jury chaired by veteran actor and director Dr. Sam Dede, with filmmakers Adeola Aderonke and George Ugwuja, will evaluate submissions based on storytelling craft, originality, creativity, production quality, and impact.
Benson added that the judging process will be transparent, featuring longlisting, shortlisting, and final adjudication stages. The winning entry will be announced at NLNG’s Grand Award Night in October 2026. The public will also be able to engage with longlisted and shortlisted works to promote wider appreciation of documentary storytelling in Nigeria.
With The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, NLNG has not only expanded its cultural footprint but also opened a new chapter in Nigeria’s creative evolution; one that places young voices at the centre of shaping how the nation is seen, remembered, and celebrated.
