Officials of Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) on Wednesday visited the QEDNG head office in Lagos. The meeting focused on the organisations’ long-standing partnership, support for the creative industry and opportunities for collaboration ahead of the 2026 QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit.
The delegation was led by manager, public affairs and corporate communications Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku. Other members were head of media relations and corporate communication Iwokiri Aprioku and senior editorial and digital content advisor Emma Nwatu.
Welcoming the delegation, QEDNG publisher Olumide Iyanda praised NLNG’s contribution to the Nigerian economy. He also highlighted the company’s support for human capital development through initiatives such as the Nigeria Prize for Literature, the Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation and the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts.
“NLNG’s commitment to Nigeria’s economy cannot be understated. Over the years, the company has paid billions of dollars in dividends and taxes and generated tens of thousands of local jobs. It stabilises the domestic energy market by supplying a significant volume of the country’s cooking gas while drawing massive foreign investment through its multibillion-dollar expansion projects.
“Of particular interest to us at QEDNG is your intellectual sponsorship through the Nigeria Prizes comprising the Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation, Nigeria Prize for Literature and the newly introduced Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts. Beyond your commitment to your core business of processing and marketing gas, you are also investing in innovation and human capital. The Nigeria Prizes that you sponsor are targeted at the young and old,” Mr Iyanda said.
Speaking on the inaugural QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit held in 2025, Iyanda recalled NLNG’s support for the event and thanked the company for its continued partnership.
“Last year, we did something bold, something new, something we tried for the first time in our history, which was to launch the QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit. You were one of our corporate sponsors, which is another testament to the relationship that we have built over the years,” he said.
According to him, the theme of the 2026 edition of the summit, Creativity, Culture and Nigeria’s Next Chapter, aligns with the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, which is aimed at young Nigerian filmmakers aged 18 to 35.
Iyanda also assured the company of QEDNG’s continued coverage of its activities across the platform’s digital channels.
“What I can promise is that we will continue to provide as much support as we can. We will continue to provide value,” he said.
He noted that coverage of NLNG activities has expanded beyond QEDNG’s website, Facebook and YouTube platforms to include Instagram and TikTok, with live coverage of recent award ceremonies.
Responding, Mrs Palmer-Ikuku commended QEDNG’s growth since her last visit.
“I see an improvement because I see more facilities, more equipment. What you had the last time we visited was just your website and YouTube channel. Your office then had just chairs, tables and computers. But what I see today is very impressive, and I am happy that you’ve grown. I am happy to see the work you do,” she said.
She also praised QEDNG’s proactive coverage of NLNG activities.
“When you say you ‘stalk’ us to get information about our activities, I don’t see it as stalking us. I actually appreciate it because what I always tell our partners in the media is that I like a situation where they take the initiative to do their reports.
“Tell your stories, see what we are doing and tell your story not until we send you a press statement or call you to say, ‘look at this story’ and I see that QEDNG is very good on that. So, I don’t see it as stalking but initiative.”
Palmer-Ikuku also assured QEDNG of NLNG’s continued support.
“We will continue to partner as we’ve done and also to say please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Even if we can’t do everything, don’t hesitate to ask. Thank you so much,” she added.
Speaking on the inaugural Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, she disclosed that the competition attracted 98 entries.
“For the prize for creative arts, we are going to have a longlist of 10 later, then five. We are going to have some watch parties.
“We received 98 entries for this inaugural edition. What our Nigerian youths are doing is really significant in terms of telling the story. I mean, I have even learnt a lot from their creative angle of telling the story of our identity,” she said.
Palmer-Ikuku described the creative sector as an important part of the economy that deserves greater attention and investment.
“I think you are well-positioned. It’s a part of the economy that people really are not seeing. We are all benefiting and enjoying, and seeing the value in it, but people have not really focused on it.
“NLNG has always seen the potential and value in the creative sector and has invested massively in it over the years. It is encouraging that QEDNG has created a platform for impactful conversations and collaborations to drive greater development in the key pillar of the sector.”
She also congratulated Iyanda on his election as deputy president of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers.
“I am happy that you are now also the deputy president of GOCOP, an association with which we have had a mutually beneficial relationship over the years,” she added.
