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*Demonstrating a reinvigorated passion for creative works and a deepened global awareness of Nigerian literature.

The stakes have never been higher and the literary stage is set ablaze, as the Advisory Board of The Nigeria Prize for Literature, sponsored by NLNG, announced on Tuesday that a record 252 entries have been received for the 2025 edition, setting a new level for the quality of entries and promising to be the fiercest competition in the Prize’s history.

At a press conference held in Lagos, NLNG’s General Manager for External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, represented by Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, Manager of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, handed over the entries to the Prize’s Advisory Board, led by literary icon and past winner, Prof Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo.

The entries were subsequently presented to the panel of judges, officially marking the start of what promises to be an intense and highly competitive adjudication process. The number of entries not only surpassed the 2024 figure of 163 but also exceeded the 2021 Prose Fiction cycle, which saw 202 submissions.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Horsfall attributed the high number of entries to “a surge in literary creativity, demonstrating a reinvigorated passion for creative works and a deepened global awareness of Nigerian literature.

“This year’s record entries reaffirm the prize’s impact, proving that Nigerian literature is not only thriving but also commanding greater international recognition”, Horsfall said.

“Today’s handover ceremony is proof of the ingenuity, dedication, and relentless drive of NLNG, our respected advisory boards and judges, and every writer who has entered either for the Literature prize or the Literary Criticism prize. Our commitment to advancing excellence in the quality of literature to improve reading and literacy appetite through these noble prizes aligns with NLNG’s aspiration of improving lives sustainably, ”she added.

Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo, Chairperson of the Advisory Board, expressed optimism that the calibre and volume of entries submitted this year would significantly elevate the quality of the competition. She noted that the remarkable diversity and depth of literary works would not only make the adjudication process more compelling but also reaffirm the prize’s unwavering commitment to literary excellence.

She urged the panel of judges to approach the process with the highest standards of integrity and objectivity, upholding the legacy of rigour and distinction that has become the hallmark of the Prize. According to her, the Advisory Board is fully engaged and anticipates every stage of the selection process with enthusiasm, as this edition may prove to be one of the most competitive in the history of the Prize.

The Advisory Board also announced the receipt of 37 entries for The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism.

The Literature Prize carries a monetary award of $100,000, while the Literary Criticism Prize winner will receive $10,000.

This year’s panel of judges is chaired by Professor Saeedat Bolajoko Aliyu of the Department of English and Linguistics Studies, Kwara State University. Other members of the panel include Professor Stephen Mbanefo Ogene, Professor of English Language and Literature at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and Mr Olakunle Kasumu, writer, filmmaker, producer, and host of Channels Television’s Book Club.

Dr Grace Musila, an Associate Professor in the Department of African Literature at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, serves as the International Consultant for this year’s edition.

Notable past winners in the Prose Fiction category include Kaine Agary (Yellow Yellow, 2008), Chika Unigwe (On Black Sisters’ Street, 2012), Abubakar Adam Ibrahim (Season of Crimson Blossoms, 2016), and Professor Cheluchi Onyemelukwe-Onuobia, whose novel The Son of the House clinched the Prize in the 2020/21 edition. The inaugural edition of the Prize for Prose Fiction in 2004 did not produce a winner.

The Nigeria Prize for Literature rotates annually across four literary genres: Prose Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Children’s Literature.

With top authors contending for the top honour and the judges tasked with identifying the very best, the 2025 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Literature promises to be an epic literary showdown.

Regarded as Africa’s most prestigious literary prize, and one of the richest globally, The Nigeria Prize for Literature continues to set the standard for literary excellence.

Profile of Judges & Advisory Board Members The 2025 Prizes

Advisory Board

Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Advisory Board, Chairperson, The 2025 Prizes

Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo is a distinguished Nigerian academic, prolific author, and literary critic whose work has significantly shaped the landscape of African literature. A Professor of English, she has taught at several prestigious institutions, including the University of Lagos, where she served for decades before retiring. She holds a Ph.D. in English and has authored over 80 publications, spanning genres such as novels, poetry, short stories, children’s literature, and scholarly essays. Her literary works reflect a deep commitment to gender issues, cultural heritage, and social justice, earning her both national and international acclaim.

A Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (FNAL) and the Literary Society of Nigeria (FLSN), Professor Ezeigbo is widely recognized for her immense contributions to literature and scholarship.

Emeritus Professor Olu Obafemi, Member Advisory Board, The 2025 Prizes

Emeritus Professor Olu Obafemi, FNAL, NNOM, is a distinguished Nigerian scholar, playwright, poet, and public intellectual whose contributions to literature and the humanities span over four decades. A celebrated academic and cultural advocate, Professor Obafemi holds the prestigious Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) in the Humanities and is a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (FNAL). His academic career began at the University of Ilorin, where he rose to become a Professor of English and Dramatic Literature, mentoring generations of students and scholars. His works, known for their deep engagement with social justice, nationalism, and the human condition, have significantly shaped African literature and theatre.

A former President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters and a former Chairman of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Professor Obafemi has consistently contributed to national policy development in culture and education.

Professor Ahmed Yerima, Member Advisory Board, The 2025 Prizes

Professor Ahmed Yerima is an acclaimed Nigerian playwright, theatre director, and academic with an illustrious career that spans decades in the literary and performing arts. A former Director-General of the National Theatre and ex-Artistic Director of the National Troupe of Nigeria, Yerima is widely celebrated for his contribution to the development of modern Nigerian drama and literature. He holds a Fellowship of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (FNAL) and is a Fellow of the Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists (FSONTA), recognitions that underscore his deep impact and distinguished scholarship in the arts.

With numerous award-winning plays to his name—including Hard Ground, which won the Nigeria Prize for Literature in 2006—Yerima brings a wealth of experience, critical insight, and cultural understanding to the Advisory Board.

Judges

Dr. Saeedat Bola Aliyu, Judges, Chairperson, The 2025 Prizes

Dr. Saeedat Bola Aliyu is a distinguished literary scholar and academic leader. She holds a Ph.D. in Literature in English from the University of Ilorin and specializes in environmental literary studies and cultural criticism. Dr. Aliyu is a faculty member in the Department of English and Linguistics at Kwara State University (KWASU), where she also serves as the Acting Director of University Relations and the Centre for Language Immersion and Translation.

Her scholarly work explores the intersection of literature, environmental justice, and cultural identity, with notable research on the literary representation of figures like Ken Saro-Wiwa and the use of oral traditions in African environmentalism.

Professor Mbanefo Stephen Ogene, Member of The Judges, The 2025 Prizes

Professor Mbanefo Stephen Ogene is a distinguished academic and literary scholar serving as a Professor of Comparative Literature at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, Nigeria. A native of Ogidi in Anambra State, he holds a PhD in Literary Studies and has earned a reputation for his contributions to African literature, creative writing, and literary criticism. His scholarly works include the widely referenced Literary Appreciation: Theory and Practice, as well as The Divorce of Idemili and Other Poems and The Legacies of Zik, which reflect his deep engagement with cultural and political themes in Nigerian literature.

In addition to his academic achievements, Professor Ogene has held several leadership roles within and beyond the university. He completed his tenure as the HOD English, NAU Akwa, last year, 2024. He presently serves as the Chairman of the Students Disciplinary Committee of NAU, Akwa. His commitment to mentorship is evident in his supervision of numerous undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students.

Olakunle Kasumu, Member of The Judges, The 2025 Prizes

Olakunle Kasumu is a distinguished Nigerian literary journalist, publisher, and media entrepreneur renowned for his significant contributions to the country’s literary and cultural landscape. As the presenter and co-producer of Channels Book Club, Nigeria’s premier television program dedicated to books and authors, Kasumu has played a pivotal role in promoting reading culture and providing a platform for literary discourse. His work has connected writers, publishers, and readers, fostering a deeper appreciation for literature across Nigeria.

In addition to his media endeavours, Kasumu is the founder of Storyteller Services, a writing and publishing firm that collaborates with individuals and organizations to document their narratives. His expertise in storytelling and publishing has established him as one of Nigeria’s most prolific writers.

Consultant

Dr. Grace A. Musila, International Consultant for the 2025 Prizes

Dr. Grace A. Musila is a distinguished scholar in African literature, currently serving as an associate professor in the English Department at Stellenbosch University. She earned her Ph.D. in African Literature from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Dr. Musila’s research encompasses gender studies, Eastern and Southern African literature, African popular culture, and postcolonial studies. Her notable publications include A Death Retold in Truth and Rumour: Kenya, Britain and the Julie Ward Murder, which examines the narratives surrounding the 1988 murder of British tourist Julie Ann Ward in Kenya, and Wangari Maathai’s Registers of Freedom, exploring the life and work of the Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel laureate.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Dr. Musila has contributed to various scholarly initiatives, such as co-editing Rethinking Eastern African Intellectual Landscapes and participating in lecture series like “African Feminism Past and Present.” Her extensive experience and expertise in African literary studies make her a valuable asset as the International Consultant for the 2025 Nigeria Prize for Literature, where she will provide strategic guidance and support to the adjudication process.

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