Is personal goodness enough in the absence of strong institutions, shared values, and collective action? What kind of nation are we building through the choices we make every day? If you’ve been thinking deeply about Nigeria, lovingly, critically, or reluctantly, this issue is for you.
For the second issue of The Custodian, we are interrogating a popular Nigerian axiom: that our greatest strength is our people and our greatest tragedy is everything else.
In this issue, we seek to examine the tension between individual character and national outcome, between intention and structure, hope and reality.
The focus is on stories that critically explore Nigeria through the actions, choices, and contradictions of its people, including (but not limited to):
- Good people in bad systems: How institutions shape behaviour
- The myth of Nigerian goodness (when “niceness” replaces accountability)
- Everyday ethics: Small compromises and their national consequences
- Civic responsibility and what we owe each other beyond survival
- Corruption as culture vs corruption as system
- Youth, protest, apathy, and moral fatigue
- Nation-building in fragments: communities doing what the state won’t
- Diaspora distance: Can you help build a nation you no longer live in?
- Personal stories of integrity, compromise, loss, or quiet resistance
This issue is not interested in moral superiority or despair journalism, but in honesty, nuance, and lived experience.
Who Can Submit?
The call is open to all.
Our goal is to create a cultural and historical document that truly captures the nuances and explores the tension between people and country. We celebrate diversity of forms and strongly encourage the expression of this diversity in submissions.
What We’re Looking For
- Authentic voices and perspectives
- Stories that challenge stereotypes
- Features & long-form essays
- Personal narratives & creative non-fiction
- Profiles & interviews
- Photo essays & visual storytelling
- Illustration & conceptual art
- Poetry (limited selection)
How To Submit
Submissions should be between 1,500–2,500 words. Drafts will be accepted until 12:00 AM, 16 February 2026.
Tone and Voice
Language should be inclusive and relatable, speaking directly to the experiences of young people while maintaining an approachable tone, and providing accurate and well-researched information.
Adhere to standard American grammar rules but allow creative language use where appropriate. Use an active voice and avoid jargon.
Use topic-specific contractions, and slang appropriate to the discourse.
Typography
Headlines and Subheadings: Use Bold, Sans serif fonts (e.g. Bebas Neue, Impact) for headlines.
Body: Use clean, legible fonts (e.g. Garamond) for easy readability.
Images
Use high-resolution, engaging images that reflect the vibrancy of youth culture.
Feature a wide range of models to reflect different backgrounds, body types, and styles.
Incorporate fun and eye-catching graphics, memes, and illustrations to enhance visual appeal.
Headlines
Keep headlines short and to the point, ideally under 10 words. Use puns, alliteration, and questions to grab attention
Ensure all information is fact-checked and up-to-date.
Visual Submissions
Images should be submitted in PNG format, and at least 1920 pixels on the longest side.
Two formats of each image must be submitted: in CMYK color mode, with a resolution of 300ppi, and in RGB color mode.
Every image must follow the naming convention: FirstName_ImageName_Resolution_ColorMode.
Multiple images may be submitted.
Submissions must be accompanied by a brief artist statement of no more than 150 words. The statement should be sectioned into three paragraphs. The first should reflect the artist’s personality. The second, center on professional experience. And the third should function as an annotation for the submitted image(s). Language should be professional, free of fluff and jargon. However, a little quirk or whimsy is permissible, so long as it functions to underscore the artist’s personality.
Send your pitches or completed pieces to submissions@culturecustodian.com with the subject line “Good people, Great Nation?: [Your Name],[Submission Type]”
Include a brief bio and any relevant writing samples or portfolio links.
Submissions Open: 15th Jan- 16th February 2026
