The Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) has confirmed that no Nigerian film will be submitted for the International Feature Film category at the 2026 Academy Awards.
In a statement on Monday, NOSC chairperson Stephanie Linus explained that the committee opened a call for entries in August. Six films were submitted for review. After a meeting over the weekend, members voted by majority for “No Submission.” This ended Nigeria’s chances of being represented in the category next year.
Linus said Nigerian films have improved in quality and awareness of International Feature Film standards. However, she noted there is still a gap in creativity and technical work. These gaps, she explained, limit the films’ chances of competing at a global level.
The decision has already been communicated to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The news has sparked reactions in Nollywood. Some filmmakers expressed disappointment that no film was chosen, while others said the committee made the right call.
Nigeria’s journey with the Oscars has been rocky. The first official submission came in 2019 with Genevieve Nnaji’s Lionheart, which was later disqualified for containing too much English dialogue. Since then, the NOSC has faced debates over transparency, film standards, and support for filmmakers.
This year’s decision is another reminder of the challenges Nigerian filmmakers face in reaching global award standards. While no film will represent Nigeria at the 2026 Oscars, industry watchers believe this is a call to action. Nollywood must raise the bar creatively and technically to compete with the best films in the world.
