The Nigeria Nature Photography Awards
FREE TO ENTER · DEADLINE JULY 31ST 2026

Celebrating our national natural heritage through The Lens

Entries open on June 15

Join us in showcasing Nigeria's nature to the world.
Submit your photo and win ₦1,500,000.

Learn More

Much of Nigeria’s natural liferemains unseen & underappreciated

Nigeria's natural world is rich, vast, and largely unseen.
It sustains the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we grow yet much of it goes unnoticed. With almost 6000 species of plants and animals, many still undiscovered, the Nigeria Nature Photography Awards exists to change that.

A young man between trees with fruits on them
A monkey with a red jaw
A middle aged man fishing in a lake
Black bird with a crown

The Nigeria Nature Photography Awards exists to strengthen public appreciation for Nigeria’s biodiversity and natural heritage by recognizing exceptional nature photography, amplifying stories that reveal our connection to nature, and engaging audiences through competitions, awards, and exhibitions.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for strong, real, and meaningful images of nature in Nigeria: plants, animals, ecosystems, natural phenomena and human-nature interactions.

Man looking through binoculars
Black and white crowned crane bird
Man throwing a fishing net at sunset
Woman smiling while holding tomatoes

YOU WILL BE JUDGED ON

RARITY & SIGNIFICANCE

  • Rarity of species, behaviour, or moment captured
  • Representation of Nigeria's biodiversity
  • Cultural or conservation relevance

CREATIVITY & STORYTELLING

  • Originality of perspective
  • Emotional or educational impact
  • Communicates key message about the environment

TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE

  • Sharpness and clarity
  • Exposure and lighting
  • Composition and framing
  • Effective use of colour, contrast, and depth

MEET THE JUDGES

Dr Joseph Onoja

Dr Joseph Onoja

Director General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation

Sikeade Egbuwalo

Sikeade Egbuwalo

Nigeria's National Focal Point for the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity

Nela Ekpenyong-Duke

Nela Ekpenyong-Duke

Managing Partner at Obudu Capital, CEO of LEGA.C Capital

Niyi Fagbemi

Niyi Fagbemi

Travel and documentary filmmaker

JOIN THE CHALLENGEAND STAND A CHANCE TO WIN

Leopard resting on a tree branch

SELECTED PHOTOGRAPHS WILL ALSO BE:

Promoted on
social media

Printed and
exhibited publicly

Recognized
internationally

OVERALL WINNER

₦1,500,000

RUNNER-UP WINNER

₦1,000,000

THIRD PLACE

₦500,000

STEPS ON HOW TOJOIN THE CHALLENGE

Submissions open on 15 June 2026. Get your photos ready and follow these simple steps to submit your photos and join the challenge.

Aerial view of green farmland
01.Select your best photos
02.Upload via Ninthgrid
03.Fill in your details
04.Submit before the deadline
05.Add a caption to each photo
SUBMISSIONS WOULD BE OPENING SOON
SUBMISSIONS WOULD BE OPENING SOON
SUBMISSIONS WOULD BE OPENING SOON
SUBMISSIONS WOULD BE OPENING SOON
SUBMISSIONS WOULD BE OPENING SOON
SUBMISSIONS WOULD BE OPENING SOON
SUBMISSIONS WOULD BE OPENING SOON
SUBMISSIONS WOULD BE OPENING SOON

Deadline:
JULY 31ST 2026 (23:59 WAT)

Hands holding a seedling
Herdsman with cattle at sunset
African grey parrot
Green mountains at dawn
Close up of a red hibiscus flower

THIS AWARD IS MADE POSSIBLETHROUGH COLLABORATION:

Nigeria Nature Photography Awards Logo
Ninthgrid Logo
NCF Logo
Wild Africa Logo

FREQUENTLY ASKEDQUESTIONS

Anyone over 18 in Nigeria

All images must be taken in Nigeria.

Up to 20 images

Basic editing is allowed in terms of photo contrast, exposure, and highlights. No AI or deceptive manipulation.

Yes. Photographers retain copyright to their images, but by entering the competition they grant the organisers and Ninthgrid permission to use submitted photographs for the competition, promotion, exhibition, and licensing on the Ninthgrid platform.

Through the NinthGrid submission portal.

Read the competition rules here or contact us at info@nnpa.org