The entries were submitted by writers across Nigeria and the diaspora, reflecting continued engagement with one of Africa’s most prestigious literary prizes.

Dr Sophia Horsfall, NLNG General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, disclosed this during the official handover ceremony held on Monday.

Represented by Abdul Umar, NLNG’s Manager, Government Relations, she described the handover as a critical milestone in the Prize cycle.

“This marks the start of a process that demands attention, patience and sound judgement.

“It will ultimately determine the work that defines this year’s Prize and reflects the strength of contemporary Nigerian poetry,” she said.

The 2026 edition focuses on poetry, a genre known for its intensity, discipline and artistic precision.

The 223 submissions highlight the resilience of literary expression despite economic and publishing challenges facing writers across the country.

Although slightly below peak years, the number remains competitive and consistent with recent cycles, indicating sustained interest in the Prize.

Horsfall noted that poetry required clarity of thought, depth of meaning and economy of language to achieve impact.

She added that expectations remained high following the acclaimed quality of entries recorded during the 2022 poetry edition.

She said NLNG remained committed to maintaining a credible and transparent platform that promotes literary excellence in Nigeria and beyond.

“At NLNG, we have consistently provided a platform that supports excellence and inspires a sustainable future.

“Beyond recognising talent, the Prize has strengthened reading culture and encouraged discipline in creative writing.

“It has also contributed significantly to the growth and global visibility of Nigeria’s literary landscape,” she added.

According to her, the credibility of the Prize rests on a transparent and rigorous adjudication process conducted over several months.

She explained that judges would carefully read, assess and deliberate on each entry before arriving at a final decision.

The process will produce a long list of 11 entries, followed by a shortlist of three finalists.

Horsfall said the eventual winner would emerge after extensive evaluation based on merit, originality and overall literary quality.

The entries were formally presented to the Advisory Board in line with established procedures governing the Prize.

The Advisory Board, chaired by Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, subsequently handed over the submissions to the panel of judges.

Speaking during the ceremony, Adimora-Ezeigbo commended NLNG for its consistency in sustaining the Prize over the years.

“Each edition reflects the evolving depth and diversity of Nigerian writing across genres,” she said.

She noted that the Prize continued to inspire both emerging and established writers to produce high-quality literary works.

Adimora-Ezeigbo also praised writers for their dedication and continued participation in the competition.

She said such commitment ensured the Prize remained relevant and impactful within Nigeria’s cultural and intellectual space.

She urged the judges to uphold integrity, professionalism and critical depth throughout the adjudication process.

She stressed that fairness and objectivity were essential in selecting a winner that truly represents excellence.

Adimora-Ezeigbo noted that the Prize carries a 100,000 dollar award presented annually by NLNG.

She described it as one of Africa’s most prestigious literary honours, attracting global recognition.

According to her, the Prize continues to serve as a benchmark for literary excellence in Nigeria and across the continent.

It also promotes education, cultural development and broader conversations around creativity and national identity.

Source: NAN

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Mrs Sophia Horsfall, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development at Nigeria LNG Ltd., NLNG, made this known in a statement on Sunday.

Horsfall said the 2026 edition of the Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation would focus on Innovations in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Technologies for Development, following a no-winner outcome in the 2025 cycle.

She added that the Nigeria Prize for Literature would spotlight poetry, while the newly introduced Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts would debut with documentary filmmaking.

According to her, the Nigeria Prizes remain the country’s foremost platform for recognising excellence in science and innovation, literature and the creative arts, with a legacy spanning over two decades.

Horsfall said the selected themes reflected the realities of a rapidly evolving global environment, noting that extensive research had shown the transformative potential of ICT, artificial intelligence and digital technologies.

She said the prizes were designed to reward innovative ideas and talents capable of delivering long-term national impact, adding that the introduction of the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts underscored NLNG’s commitment to recognising creativity as a critical driver of development.

Also, the Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Science and Innovation Prize, Prof. Barth Nnaji, urged scientists and innovators worldwide to submit works that moved beyond theory to provide deployable, scalable and practical solutions.

Nnaji said the prize was founded on the principle that science should deliver measurable outcomes, particularly within Nigeria’s development landscape.

“The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation, valued at 100,000 dollars, is open to scientists and innovators globally and seeks pioneering digital and artificial intelligence-based solutions across critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.

“For the Nigeria Prize for Literature, Nigerian poets resident in the country and in the Diaspora are invited to submit poetry collections published from 2023 onwards, with the prize also valued at 100,000 dollars,” he said.

The Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Nigeria Prize for Literature and the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, described the Creative Arts Prize as a significant addition to NLNG’s legacy of celebrating excellence.

She said the prize reaffirmed the belief that excellence transcended form, whether written, spoken or filmed, while also recognising poetry’s enduring role in social reflection and inquiry.

“The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts will debut with documentary film under the theme “Identity,” offering a 20,000-dollar prize and targeting emerging Nigerian filmmakers aged 18 to 35,” she said.

She said the prize would challenge young creatives to explore individual, communal and cultural identities through rigorous storytelling and visual excellence.

Source: NAN

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The milestone is part of the company’s flagship Hospital Support Programme, HSP, an ongoing initiative aimed at improving Nigeria’s medical infrastructure and enhancing healthcare delivery nationwide.

The inauguration is coming after a recent opening of a neonatal ward and intensive care unit at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Asaba by the company.

The new facility, the tenth in the list of completed projects, is outfitted with advanced diagnostic technology, significantly boosting the hospital’s capacity for accurate and timely diagnosis.

The laboratory complex harbours an Automated Tissue Processing Machine, Cryostat, Immunoassay Analyser, ELISA Washer, haematology systems, vein finders, and specialised microscopes.

The facility also features purpose-built workspaces for sample preparation and storage, solar-powered electrical systems for uninterrupted operations, automated access controls, and modern reception and waiting areas, all designed for safety, efficiency, and comfort.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Philip Mshelbila, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, represented by Sophia Horsfall, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, emphasised that the Hospital Support Programme offered Bauchi State a vital partnership and gave NLNG the opportunity to actualise its vision of improving lives sustainably through the provision of healthcare infrastructure.

He noted that the programme reinforces NLNG’s belief in what is possible when private enterprise and public good align with purpose.

He stressed that the project was informed by a detailed needs assessment, resulting in a facility that would significantly enhance diagnostic capacity and provide better support to both clinicians and patients.

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Mshelbila further remarked that NLNG was building a network of care across the country through HSP.

He noted that the HSP had transformed medical services in all the beneficiary institutions, boosting the confidence of medical practitioners and raising public hope for improved healthcare.

Highlighting the pressing need for advanced diagnostic capabilities in Nigeria, especially in light of rising incidences of Lassa fever, antibiotic resistance, and cancer, Professor Yusuf Bara Jibrin, Chief Medical Director of ATBUTH, emphasised that the laboratory stands as “a fortress of response, equipped with the tools, technologies, and manpower to detect, analyse, and inform timely medical interventions.”

The CMD lauded NLNG for going beyond the bounds of corporate social responsibility, adding that ATBUTH had instituted a maintenance and operations framework to ensure the facility’s long-term sustainability.

The HSP has impacted ten health institutions across Nigeria, providing healthcare infrastructure for obstetrics, neonatal intensive care, occupational therapy, and neuromodulation rehabilitation, among others.

NLNG remains at the forefront of private sector contributions to healthcare delivery in Nigeria, investing not just in energy, but also in education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

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Held in Port Harcourt, the competition drew students from across Rivers State in a bid to crown this year’s top science students under the theme “Renewable Energy Solutions.”

After rounds of intense intellectual display, Community Secondary School, Igboh Etche, emerged as the winner in the Senior Secondary (SS 2) category.

Their victory marked the conclusion of a rigorous three-phase contest comprising the Championship, Science Project Exhibition, and Grand Finale.

The school distinguished itself through accuracy, composure, and a strong grasp of science concepts related to clean energy.

In the Science Project Exhibition, Oginigba Comprehensive Secondary School, Oginigba, secured the top position, followed by Bonny National Grammar School (Senior) in second place, and Community Secondary School, Kira Tai, in third place.

In the Senior Secondary 1 (SS1) category, the competition concluded at the Championship stage.

Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori, Khana claimed the top position, while Niger Delta Science School, Obio/Akpor, secured second place, and Government Secondary School, Abua, came third after a closely contested challenge among peers from across Rivers State.

The remaining finalists in the competition included Government Secondary School, Eneka (4th); Niger Delta Science School, Obio/Akpor (5th), Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Port Harcourt (6th), Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori, Khana (7th) and Government Secondary School, Abua (8th).

Speaking at the finale, Sophia Horsfall, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, emphasised the company’s commitment to nurturing scientific excellence and promoting sustainability.

“The world is moving fast towards cleaner, greener energy. NLNG is proud to be leading this shift by exporting LNG, a cleaner fossil fuel, and supplying LPG to Nigerian homes. Through this quiz, we are not only investing in education, but inspiring the scientists, engineers, and innovators of tomorrow,” she stated.

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“Science is the heartbeat of progress. That’s why we support platforms like this, where young minds can discover their potential. Since inception, over 200 public schools have benefitted from this competition, proving that when given the opportunity, our students will shine,” she added.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Education, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, represented by Tam Job Inisefiekabo, stated that the theme was both timely and significant, as the global community confronts the challenges of climate change, environmental degradation, and energy insecurity.

Also speaking at the event, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria, STAN, remarked that it was imperative to equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and creativity required to drive innovation and sustainable progress.

First introduced in 2008 and relaunched in 2020 after a six-year pause for process improvement, the NLNG Science Quiz Competition continues to evolve.

The recent addition of the Science Projects Fair a year ago has created an avenue for students to present practical solutions to pressing scientific and environmental challenges, further deepening their engagement with STEM.

Organised in partnership with the Rivers State Ministry of Education, the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (Rivers State Chapter), and Dragnet Solutions Limited, the quiz competition has become a beacon of excellence in science education.

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The upgraded FMC Asaba facility now boasts of world-class treatment areas, including neonatal and ICU suites, recovery rooms, prep zones, automated doors, a dedicated nurses’ station, and a family lounge, all tailored to accelerate emergency response, improve outcomes, and enhance care for Nigeria’s most vulnerable patients – the neo-natals.

Speaking at the commissioning, NLNG’s Managing Director and CEO, Philip Mshelbila, represented by Sophia Horsfall, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development  stated that NLNG’s investment in the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba and other hospitals in the country accurately reflected NLNG’s intentions expressed in its vision of being “a globally competitive energy company improving lives sustainably.”

Mshelbila emphasised that the HSP was  part of NLNG’s broader nation-building agenda.

“We invest in people, not just infrastructure. Through education, health, and capacity-building, we are helping shape a sustainable future. The commissioning at FMC Asaba signals more than the completion of a project, it reflects a clear, steadfast vision: a healthcare system where Nigerian lives are preserved through precision, preparedness, and partnership.

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“A single step into these wards in FMC, Asaba, reveals transformation with purpose. This is what it means to turn concern into action and statistics into lives saved. Nigeria contributes 20% of global maternal and child mortality. This must change, and we’re committed to that change,” he said.

Speaking during the ceremony, Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Salako, commended NLNG for its contribution to health and urged other organisations to emulate the company.

The minister, represented by the Ministry’s Director of Hospital Services, Dr Jimoh Salaudeen, described the facility as another milestone in the quest for quality health services in line with the federal government’s renewed hope agenda.

In his remarks, Henry Obih, a member of NLNG’s Board of Directors, emphasised that the occasion reflected NLNG’s steadfast commitment to the well-being of the Nigerian people.

He noted further that through the NLNG HSP, critical infrastructure has been provided, offering immense benefits to families, newborns, ill infants, and to healthcare workers dedicated to delivering quality service.

Receiving the facilities, the Chief Medical Director of FMC Asaba, Dr Victor Osiatuma, thanked NLNG for selecting FMC Asaba as one of the benefitting institutions, through a transparent process devoid of lobbying.

The Hospital Support Programme, HSP, was NLNG’s strategic intervention in response to the urgent need for improved medical infrastructure during the COVID-19 crisis.

Approved by the NLNG Board in July 2021, the initiative set out to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system, starting with 12 federal university teaching hospitals across all six geopolitical zones and the FCT.

Nine health institutions in Nigeria have already achieved transformative upgrades in obstetrics, neonatal ICUs, occupational therapy, and neuromodulation rehabilitation through HSP.

NLNG continues to lead in the private sector’s contribution to nation-building, investing not only in energy but in education, healthcare, and infrastructure,  because progress must be holistic to be sustainable.

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Dr. Horsfall steps into this key leadership role, succeeding Andy Odeh, who retired from the company on November 1, 2024.

Bringing over 25 years of extensive experience in the oil and gas sector, Dr. Horsfall is recognized for her versatile expertise in finance, human resources, and corporate communications.

Her distinguished career at NLNG is marked by numerous accomplishments, including serving as the company’s first HR Manager in Business Partnering and leading as the inaugural Chief of Staff for the COVID-19 Crisis Management Team.

She began her managerial tenure as Manager of Manpower Planning and Resourcing and most recently held the position of Manager, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs.

Dr. Horsfall is highly credentialed, holding fellowships and memberships in esteemed professional organisations such as the Chartered Institute of Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (AMCIPM), Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (AMNIPR), and the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (mCIOD).

She has enriched her professional development through participation in management programmes at Lagos Business School, INSEAD, the University of Cambridge, and SDA Bocconi.

Academically, Dr. Horsfall earned her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Lagos.

She also holds an MBA from Imperial College London, a Diploma in Strategy and Innovation, and an MSc in Major Programme Management from the University of Oxford. Known for her focus on corporate transformation and talent development, Dr. Horsfall brings her international experience into her new role as the company spokesperson and chief reputation manager.

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This recognition is part of the FIRS Compliant Taxpayer Award and Recognition Programme, designed to acknowledge companies that consistently meet their tax obligations, contributing to the development of Nigeria’s economy.

This award marks a significant achievement for NLNG, following the Company’s receipt of the FIRS Most Supportive Taxpayer Award in 2021.

The 2021 recognition was conveyed by FIRS, commending the top-performing taxpayers for their compliance, which helped the service surpass its tax collection target.

In a statement, the FIRS commended NLNG for its consistent and exemplary adherence to tax laws, emphasising the Company’s contributions to national development.

The service highlighted NLNG’s unwavering commitment to fulfilling its tax responsibilities, recognising the Company’s exceptional compliance with tax regulations and its role in the broader economic growth of the country.

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The award was received by Titi Horsfall, Head of Editorial and Digital Content, on behalf of the Company.

Speaking on the announcement, NLNG’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, noted that the recognition coincided with a milestone for NLNG, marking its 35th anniversary of incorporation and the 25th anniversary of successful LNG production in Nigeria.

He reaffirmed that this award is a testament to NLNG’s long-standing commitment to supporting Nigeria’s development, particularly in the energy sector.

“We are honoured to receive this prestigious recognition from the Federal Inland Revenue Service. It reflects the dedication of our Board, management, and staff, who work tirelessly to ensure that NLNG remains a responsible corporate entity. This award also reinforces our ongoing commitment to contributing to the sustainable development of Nigeria’s economy.”

He further emphasised that NLNG’s commitment to compliance is integral to the Company’s mission to be a global leader in energy, driving not only Nigeria’s energy sector forward but also contributing to the improvement of lives through responsible business practices.

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