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By Damiete Braide
The Nigeria Prize has officially opened entries for the 2026 competition cycle, reaffirming its position as the nation’s most prestigious platform for recognising excellence in science, literature, and the creative arts.
The announcement marks the formal commencement of a new competition year with a thematic focus on Artificial Intelligence, poetry, and documentary filmmaking.
For the 2026 edition, The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation will retain the theme, “Innovations in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies for Development.” The theme was carried over from 2025 after the previous cycle ended without a winner, reflecting the organisers’ insistence on only groundbreaking, impactful and application-ready innovations.
On the launch of the new cycle, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, explained that the selected themes reflect global trends and national development priorities.
She noted that research worldwide continues to highlight the transformative power of ICT, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies in boosting productivity, driving economic growth, and addressing complex societal challenges.
Horsfall said the 2026 themes demonstrate NLNG’s commitment to rewarding ideas and talents capable of delivering long-term national development. She added that while science and innovation are crucial to economic progress, creativity also plays a vital role in shaping identity, preserving culture, and promoting social advancement.
“The introduction of The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts is a strategic step toward recognising creativity as a core pillar of sustainable development,” she said.
Also speaking on the Call for Entries, the Chairman of the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation, Professor Barth Nnaji, urged scientists and innovators worldwide to submit entries that offer practical, real-world solutions.
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He stressed that the prize is founded on the belief that science must deliver measurable impact, adding that submissions should demonstrate technical maturity, credibility, and clear potential for scalability within Nigeria’s development landscape.
Professor Nnaji further noted that the Advisory Board is, particularly, interested in innovations capable of producing tangible outcomes across critical sectors of the economy.
Valued at USD $100,000, The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation is open to scientists and innovators globally and seeks pioneering solutions in digital technology and artificial intelligence that can improve efficiency and strengthen data-driven decision-making.
For The Nigeria Prize for Literature, the 2026 focus will be on Poetry. Nigerian poets at home and in the diaspora are invited to submit poetry collections published from 2023 onwards. The literature prize, also valued at USD $100,000, celebrates the power of literary expression in interrogating society and preserving collective memory.
The Chairman of the Advisory Board for both The Nigeria Prize for Literature and the newly introduced Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, described the Creative Arts Prize as a major expansion of NLNG’s longstanding tradition of celebrating excellence.
She explained that the new prize affirms the belief that excellence transcends form—whether written, spoken, or filmed.
The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts makes its debut this year with Documentary Filmmaking as its first category, themed ‘Identity.’ Valued at USD $20,000, the prize targets emerging Nigerian filmmakers aged 18 to 35 and challenges them to produce compelling documentaries exploring individual, communal, and cultural identities.
Through strong storytelling and visual excellence, the initiative aims to reshape global perceptions of Nigeria and amplify authentic Nigerian voices on the world stage.
Submissions for all categories are expected to open immediately, with organisers encouraging eligible participants to take advantage of the opportunity to showcase their talents and innovations.
