Nigeria Prizes 2026 Open To Poets, Innovators & Documentary Filmmakers
Nigeria Prizes 2026: A Platform for Ideas and Cultural Expression
THE Nigeria Prizes 2026 have officially opened for submissions, marking another milestone in Nigeria’s most prominent celebration of literary excellence, scientific innovation, and creative expression. Sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), the prizes continue their tradition of rewarding works that contribute meaningfully to knowledge, technology, and cultural understanding.
This year’s edition invites poets, documentary filmmakers, scientists, and digital innovators to submit entries across three award categories, each with clearly defined themes and evaluation criteria.
Poetry Takes Centre Stage
For the Nigeria Prize for Literature, the 2026 focus is poetry, a genre often regarded as the most distilled form of literary expression. Poets are expected to submit works that demonstrate originality, linguistic mastery, and thematic depth.
The prize, valued at USD$100,000, is widely regarded as one of the most lucrative literary awards on the African continent, reflecting NLNG’s long-standing commitment to nurturing literary talent and intellectual discourse.
Digital Solutions for Development
The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation also carries a USD$100,000 reward and targets cutting-edge work in AI, ICT, or Digital Technology for Development. Eligible submissions must show practical relevance, technological novelty, and measurable societal impact.
Unlike the Literature and Creative Arts categories, the Science and Innovation prize is open to both Nigerians and non-Nigerians, reinforcing its global scope and emphasis on cross-border collaboration in solving development challenges.
Creative Arts Debut: Identity Through Documentary
Making its debut, the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts focuses on documentary filmmaking, with Identity as the central theme. The category is open to Nigerian filmmakers aged 18–35, regardless of country of residence.
Eligible documentaries must be non-fiction, completed within a two-year window, and no longer than 20 minutes. The organisers have explicitly prohibited the use of AI-generated visuals or sound, underscoring their emphasis on authenticity and human-driven storytelling.
The prize reward for this category is USD$20,000, alongside the prestige of being recognised on a national and international stage.
Learning From Previous Editions
Recent editions of The Nigeria Prizes have highlighted both the rigour of the selection process and the organisers’ insistence on excellence. While the Literature Prize was awarded in 2025, the Science category recorded no winner, reflecting the high standards required.
In 2024, however, the Science Prize honoured a collaborative team for innovations in sustainable fuel production, underscoring the prize’s commitment to impactful, real-world solutions.
Key Dates and Award Ceremony
Submissions for the Literature category close on 31 March 2026, while entries for Science and Innovation, as well as Creative Arts, must be received by 30 April 2026.
Winners will be unveiled at a formal ceremony scheduled for October 2026 in Lagos, bringing together leaders from the literary, scientific, and creative communities.
Accessing Guidelines
Detailed entry requirements, rules, and submission procedures are available on www.thenigeriaprizes.org, where prospective applicants can access official documentation and updates.
