The Unveiling and Rebranding Nigeria Initiative (URNI) announced the launch of its flagship 2025 contest, “Nigeria Through My Lens (NTML),” a nationwide photography competition, theme: Showcasing the Beauty of Nigeria, her people and her Culture, aimed at projecting positive stories about Nigeria through the creative eyes of young citizens.
Conceived as part of URNI’s ongoing mission to rekindle patriotism and national pride, NTML will provide a platform for young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 30 years to capture compelling images and videos that tell stories of resilience, beauty, culture, innovation, and unity across the nation.
Speaking on the initiative, Assistant Program Manager of URNI, Mr. Emegha Joshua explained that the contest is designed not just as an art competition but as a nation-building tool.
“Nigeria Through My Lens is more than photography. It is about giving young Nigerians the chance to tell our story differently through hope, creativity, and authenticity. For too long, the narrative of our country has been dominated by negativity. NTML is an opportunity to balance that narrative and celebrate the Nigeria that works,” he said.
Participants in the contest will compete in Photography with winners receiving impactful prizes and recognition for their contributions. Beyond prizes, the competition will also showcase the selected works in exhibitions, digital campaigns, and publications, ensuring that the positive images of Nigeria reach both local and international audiences.
The contest will be judged by a panel of distinguished professionals, including:
- George Okoro.
- Atolani Joanna.
- Momodu Sadiq.
- Patrick Nnamdi.
- Henry Oji.
URNI, which recently marked its 17th year of existence with a landmark launch event at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, has remained consistent in its mission to raise patriots and inspire a renewed sense of nationalism among Nigerians. From campus sensitizations to correctional centre outreaches, and from empowerment programs to advocacy campaigns, the organization has built a strong reputation as a youth-focused civic platform.
The NTML contest represents the next step in this journey, tapping into the power of digital creativity to shape the nation’s image. The competition is also expected to foster skill development, create new opportunities for young creatives, and contribute to a new wave of positive storytelling about Nigeria.
According to the organizers, entries will run from the 30th of July to the 31st of August, with clear guidelines for participation to be made available through URNI’s official platforms. The competition will culminate in a grand award ceremony where the best works will be celebrated and featured.
Mr. Joshua emphasized that the initiative is as much about nationhood as it is about talent:
“We strongly believe that if Nigeria will be great, it is up to Nigerians to make it happen. NTML gives our youths the voice, the camera, and the platform to make their mark on the country’s story. We are excited to see Nigeria through their lens.”
With this contest, URNI is inviting Nigerians to rediscover their nation not through statistics or speeches, but through the powerful lens of creativity and patriotism.
