Nigeria Prize for Literature records 223 entries as adjudication begins

The Nigeria Prize for Literature has received 223 entries for its 2026 edition as the competition moves into the adjudication stage. The submissions were formally handed over in Lagos to the Advisory Board and panel of judges, marking the start of a detailed evaluation process that will determine this year’s winner of the 100 thousand dollar prize.

Sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited, the award is regarded as one of Africa’s most prestigious literary honours and rotates annually across prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature. This year’s edition focuses on poetry, a genre known for its demand for precision, depth and clarity of expression. Organisers say the number of entries reflects sustained interest from writers despite being slightly below peak years.

Speaking at the handover, the company’s General Manager for External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, represented by Abdul Umar, described the process as rigorous and thorough. Stakeholders also pointed to past winners such as Romeo Oriogun, who won the 2022 edition for his collection Nomad, as setting a strong standard for the competition and reinforcing the prize’s influence on African literature.

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The entries were received by the Advisory Board, chaired by Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, who assured participants of a fair and merit-based process. Organisers say adjudication will span several months, leading to a longlist, a shortlist and eventually the announcement of a winner later in the year, with the prize continuing to shape literary standards and encourage excellence in writing.