Nigeria Withdraws from 2026 Oscars Race, NOSC Confirms

 

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The Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) has confirmed that the country will not be submitting any film for consideration in the International Feature Film (IFF) category at the 2026 Academy Awards.

In a statement issued on Monday, September 29, 2025, the NOSC Chairperson, Stephanie Linus, explained that although six films were submitted after the committee opened entries in August, none met the requirements for the global stage.

 The committee held its decisive meeting on September 26 and voted by majority to make a “No Submission” decision, effectively ending Nigeria’s bid for the Oscars this year.

Linus noted that while Nigerian filmmakers have made impressive strides in quality and storytelling in recent years, there is still a significant gap in creative depth and technical execution compared to international standards. 

“While Nigerian films have no doubt shown significant improvement and growing awareness of IFF standards, there is still a deficit in creative and technical intentionality that will improve their competitive potential for global awards,” she said.

The committee has already communicated its decision to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which oversees the Oscars.

Expressing regret that no Nigerian title was deemed fit for submission this year, Linus emphasized the need for deliberate efforts in crafting films with global competitiveness in mind. “This is why the NOSC will be taking more proactive steps to encourage filmmakers to create with the Oscars in mind,” she explained.

She further encouraged filmmakers to study past Oscar-nominated international films, stressing that understanding the standards of the category would improve Nigeria’s chances in future editions.

The International Feature Film award is presented annually to a feature-length motion picture produced outside the United States, with the requirement that at least 50 percent of its dialogue is in a non-English language.

Nigeria’s absence from the 2026 Oscars highlights both the progress and the challenges of Nollywood, one of the world’s most prolific film industries. Despite its global recognition, the industry still faces hurdles in reaching the high creative and technical bar set by the Academy.

Film stakeholders say the NOSC’s decision should serve as a wake-up call for Nigerian filmmakers to aim for higher technical precision, stronger narratives, and more intentional alignment with international expectations. 

For many, it is also a reminder that competing on a global stage requires not only volume of output but also excellence in quality.

While Nollywood continues to dominate African cinema, the NOSC’s announcement underscores the importance of strategic investment in training, funding, and global collaborations.

 If Nigerian filmmakers embrace these challenges, the nation could position itself strongly for future Oscar editions, rather than sitting out of the race as it will in 2026.

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