Nigerian filmmaker Feranmi Abiola has emerged as a joint winner of the 2026 Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts for her documentary, Mara Mania, earning recognition for her contribution to Nigeria’s creative industry.

Abiola, an alumna of a United States government exchange programme, developed her filmmaking and storytelling skills during the year-long Community College Initiative at Sinclair Community College in Ohio, United States.

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria congratulated the filmmaker on her achievement, noting that she is among more than 14,000 Nigerian alumni of U.S. government exchange programmes making significant contributions across various sectors, including the creative industries.

Abiola was announced as a joint winner alongside fellow filmmaker Peter Oghenetega-Oke, whose documentary, Beyond Tarkwa Bay, also received the prestigious award at the NLNG Grand Award Night held in Lagos on October 9, 2026. The two filmmakers will share the $20,000 prize attached to the award.

Her winning documentary, Mara Mania, explores the emergence and growth of Mara, a youth-driven street sound originating from Lagos. Through the experiences of DJs, dancers, music producers and other participants in the movement, the film examines the cultural influences shaping a new generation of Nigerian music and identity.

The documentary highlights the importance of documenting evolving cultural expressions and giving audiences a deeper understanding of the communities and creative movements shaping contemporary Nigerian society.

Abiola studied Mass Communication at the University of Lagos, graduating with First Class Honours, before further developing her filmmaking expertise in the United States. She has also participated in professional development programmes, including the British Council’s Film Lab Africa and CNN Academy.

Beyond her award-winning work, Abiola is the founder of TFA Studios, a production company focused on telling socially conscious stories that encourage reflection, promote understanding and create meaningful connections with audiences.

The inaugural edition of the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts attracted 98 submissions from Nigerian filmmakers. Centred on the theme “Identity,” the competition recognised documentary films exploring Nigerian experiences, communities and cultural heritage. Five films eventually made the final shortlist.

The award was introduced by NLNG to recognise creative excellence and encourage filmmakers to tell authentic Nigerian stories that preserve cultural memory, challenge perceptions and inspire social change.

Abiola’s achievement underscores the growing influence of Nigerian filmmakers and the importance of international exchange programmes in strengthening creative skills and professional development.

Her recognition also highlights the potential of documentary filmmaking to preserve emerging cultural movements and bring Nigerian stories to wider audiences.

With Mara Mania receiving national recognition, Abiola joins a growing number of Nigerian creatives using film to document society, explore identity and contribute to the development of the country’s creative industry.