The five finalists, announced on August 25, 2026, are Peter Oghenetega Oke, Beyond Tarkwa Bay; Feranmi Abiola, Mara Mania; Ummi Bukar, No Food for Lazy Man; Abraham Ayodele Aiwuyuse, Okrika; and Jessica Chinyere, Women of Salt: The Resilience of Ebonyi’s Women.

The shortlist follows a rigorous judging process that reduced the field from 11 nominees announced earlier in the inaugural competition.

The five documentaries can be viewed on the official Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts website.

The maiden edition of the NPCA attracted 98 submissions from young Nigerian creatives, who were invited to interpret the theme “Identity.” The competition challenged filmmakers to explore Nigeria, its people, communities, cultures and the changing meaning of Nigerian identity.

The progression from 98 submissions to 11 nominees and now five finalists highlights the breadth of emerging documentary filmmaking talent in Nigeria.

Five perspectives on contemporary Nigeria

The shortlisted documentaries offer sharply different perspectives on Nigerian society and identity.

Beyond Tarkwa Bay explores life and experiences around one of Lagos’ most recognisable coastal communities, while Women of Salt: The Resilience of Ebonyi’s Women focuses on the strength and experiences of women in Ebonyi State.

Okrika examines the character and experiences associated with the historic Niger Delta community, while Mara Mania and No Food for Lazy Man bring their own perspectives to the broader exploration of Nigerian identity.

Together, the five films demonstrate the diversity of stories being told by a new generation of Nigerian filmmakers and the increasing willingness of young creatives to document the country’s social and cultural realities from their own perspectives.

Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Chairperson of the Advisory Board of the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, said the quality and diversity of the submissions reflected the depth of emerging creative talent in Nigeria.

She also highlighted the ability of young filmmakers to engage thoughtfully with the country’s stories and present them through original creative perspectives.

NLNG-backed prize targets emerging creative talent

Established in 2025, the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts is designed to identify, recognise and promote outstanding creative works by Nigerians aged 18 to 35.

The US$20,000 prize provides a platform for emerging documentary filmmakers to develop and showcase original Nigerian stories while gaining greater national and international exposure.

The competition also forms part of a broader effort to support Nigeria’s creative economy by creating opportunities for young filmmakers and giving locally produced stories a platform beyond the domestic market.

With the field now narrowed to five, the competition enters its final stage of adjudication.

The winner of the inaugural Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts is expected to be announced at NLNG’s Grand Award Night in October 2026.

The winning documentary will make history as the first recipient of the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts.