The first-ever nominees for The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts (NPCA) are here. From 98 submissions, 11 documentary entries have advanced in the inaugural edition of the US$20,000 Prize.
https://www.digital.zenithbank.com/ZEQ/ZEQ-jan-2026/index.html#p=1Sponsored by NLNG, the newly introduced Prize is open to Nigerian creatives aged 18 to 35. For its maiden edition, entrants were invited to interpret the theme, “Identity,” through documentary stories about Nigeria, its people, communities, cultures and evolving sense of identity.
The unveiling places the filmmakers behind the 11 shortlisted works one step closer to the award and to becoming the first winner in the history of the Prize.
The first eleven filmmakers, presented in no particular order, represent a diverse collection of creative voices whose documentaries explore Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, history, traditions, and contemporary realities.
Among them is Blessing Bulus, whose documentary, Mi Tazi, offers a compelling narrative, while Jessica Chinyere presents Women of Salt: The Resilience of Ebonyi’s Women, a tribute to the strength and resilience of women in Ebonyi State.
Unmi Bukar features No Food for Lazy Men, as Dominic Fayenuwo brings Àkúdàáyà to the screen. Tosin Keshinro explores culture and tradition through Arugba: The Weight of Purity, while Ibrahim Khalil Bala documents one of Nigeria’s most celebrated cultural spectacles in Argungu Fishing Festival.
Also making the list is Peter Oghenetega with Beyond Tarkwa Bay, alongside Joseph Okulaja, whose documentary Calabar My Calabar celebrates the unique identity and heritage of the Cross River State capital.
The selection is further enriched by Feranmi Abiola’s Mara Mania, Abraham Ayodele Aiwyuse’s Okrika, and Aimalohi Ojeamiran’s Far From Home, each offering distinctive perspectives and storytelling that showcase the richness and diversity of Nigerian life and culture.
Announcing the Longlist, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Chair of the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, 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.
Collectively, she added, 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.’”
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.
The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts is a wholly NLNG-sponsored initiative established to identify, recognise and promote outstanding creative work by young Nigerians. Valued at US$20,000, the Prize provides a platform for emerging documentary filmmakers to present original Nigerian stories and receive recognition for their work.
