The Lagos International Festival of Animation (LIFANIMA) ended yesterday with an important announcement from the National Orientation Agency (NOA), introducing a new competition designed to boost Nigeria’s animation industry. The event, held at the Mike Adenuga Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos, drew attention from government officials, creative professionals, and private sector stakeholders.
The Director General of the NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, who attended the closing ceremony, revealed that beginning from the tenth edition of LIFANIMA in 2026, a new category titled “Real Nigerian Animation Challenge” will be introduced. He explained that the initiative aligns with the federal government’s policy to nationalise cartoon content and use animation as a tool for promoting cultural expression and national values.
According to Issa-Onilu, the new challenge “focuses on government effort to promote National Identity through the National Values Charter.” The competition will feature generous rewards for winners, with the first-place winner receiving 10 million naira, the second-place winner getting 7.5 million naira, and the third-place winner earning 5 million naira.
The Real Nigerian Animation Challenge will include 2D, 3D, and Stop Motion picture styles and will be open only to Nigerian animators. Each short film must not exceed three minutes and should highlight a positive Nigerian trait such as resilience, optimism, or unity. In addition to the monetary prizes, all submitted entries will enjoy three months of free airing on national television channels, giving creators wider exposure and recognition.
Mallam Issa-Onilu explained that the NOA is leading the cartoon nationalisation policy to “reduce the impact of overwhelming foreign animation exposure on young people,” stressing that most foreign animations do not reflect Nigeria’s cultural values or orientation. He said the initiative is part of broader government efforts to promote indigenous creativity and showcase Nigerian culture and values globally.
Festival Director of LIFANIMA, Muyiwa Kayode, expressed excitement about the government’s growing involvement in animation development. He stated, “The need for authentic stories to be told through animation is long overdue, given the rich cultural heritage of the country.”
The event also had in attendance representatives of the Lagos State Government, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Film and Video Censors Board, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, the Director General of the Centre for Black Arts and Civilisation, Aisha Adamu Augie, as well as representatives from private sector organisations and the French Embassy in Nigeria.