11 documentary filmmakers in USD$20,000 race for The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts
By Editor
NOMINEES for the first-ever The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts (NPCA) has been unveiled. From 98 submissions, 11 best documentary entries have been selected in the inaugural edition of the prize that took the place of The Nigeria Prize for Criticism. Also sponsored by NLNG, the new prize was announced last year and is open to Nigerian documentary filmmakers aged 18 to 35.
For the maiden edition, filmmakers were asked to reimagine the theme ‘Identity’ through documentary stories about Nigeria, her people, communities, cultures and evolving sense of identity. longlist of 11 for the maiden edition was unveiled on Sunday, 2 August at the 18th CORA-The Nigeria Prize for Literature Book Party at MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos. next would be the announcement of a shortlist of three before the winner is unveiled at the Grand Award Night (GAN) on Friday, 9 october 2026 also in Lagos.
The 11 longlisted films and the filmmakers are Mi Tazi by Blessing Bulus, Women of Salt: The Resilence of Ebonyi’s Women by Jessica Chinyere, No Food for Lazy Men by Unmi Bukar, Àkúdàáyà by Dominic Fayenuwo, Arugba: The Weight of Purity by Tosin Keshinro, Argungu Fishing Festival by Ibrahim Khalil Bala, Beyond Tarkwa Bay by Peter Oghenetega, Calabar My Calabar by Joseph Okulaja, Mara Mania by Feranmi Abiola, Okrika by Abraham Ayodele Aiwyuse and Far From Home by Aimalohi Ojeamiran.
While announcing the longlist, Chair of the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, said the breadth and quality of the 98 submissions reinforced the view that Nigeria has a deep pool of emerging creative talent and that young filmmakers are increasingly confident in telling the country’s stories. She said the documentaries offered thoughtful and varied interpretations of identity, engaging with the people, cultures, communities and lived experiences that shape contemporary Nigeria.
She added that collectively, the works demonstrate the power of documentary filmmaking to preserve important narratives, deepen understanding and present the complexity of the Nigerian experience through the perspectives of a new generation.
“For a maiden edition, 98 entries represent a strong vote of confidence in the Prize and in the ability of young Nigerians to tell their own stories. These 11 nominees earned their place in the next stage through compelling and thoughtful interpretations of the theme, ‘Identity.’” Jury members for the new prize include Adeola Aderonke, George Ugwuja and chaired by Dr. Sam Dede.
The 11 documentaries will now proceed to the next phase 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, a wholly NLNG-sponsored initiative established to identify, recognize and promote outstanding creative work by young Nigerians. Valued at USD$20,000, the prize provides a platform for emerging documentary filmmakers to present original Nigerian stories and receive recognition for their work.
