Nigeria will not present an entry for the International Feature Film (IFF) category at the 2026 Academy Awards, the Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) has announced.
In a statement issued on Monday, September 29, NOSC Chairperson Stephanie Linus disclosed that the committee had invited submissions in August and received six films for consideration. Following a meeting held on September 26, members voted by majority to make “No Submission,” thereby concluding the process.
According to Linus, although Nigerian filmmakers have made notable progress in recent years and demonstrated greater awareness of the IFF standards, the works submitted still lack the depth of creative and technical deliberateness required to compete effectively at the global level.
“The NOSC regrets that no film was found suitable for submission this year. While Nigerian films continue to improve, there remains a need for stronger creative and technical intentionality to boost their chances at international awards,” she said.
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She confirmed that the committee has formally communicated its decision to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, while assuring that more deliberate efforts would be made going forward.
Linus urged local filmmakers to pay closer attention to the requirements of the Oscars by studying previously nominated international features. She added that the committee would step up engagement with the industry to better position future entries.
The International Feature Film Award (IFF) is one of the most prestigious categories of the Oscars, which recognises feature-length films produced outside the United States with at least 50 per cent non-English dialogue.
