Eleven Poetry Collections Make Longlist for $100,000 Nigeria Prize for Literature

The race for the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Literature has entered a new phase with the unveiling of an 11-title longlist in the poetry category, selected from 223 entries submitted by poets within and outside Nigeria.

The announcement was made by the Chairman of the Advisory Board for the prize, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, who described the longlist as a testament to the quality, creativity and diversity of contemporary Nigerian poetry.

The 11 longlisted works, arranged alphabetically, are:

1. Adult Love – Tanure Ojaide
2. Bakandimiya – Saddiq Dzukogi
3. Black Passport – Paul Akpomuje
4. 2000 Blacks – Ajibola Tolase
5. Ceremony for The Nameless – Theresa Lola
6. Corpus: Animistic Verses – Ayo Oyeku
7. Floral’s Love Colony – Tares Oburumu
8. The Origin of Wounds – Malik Gbolahan
9. The Years of Blood – Adebayo Agarau
10. Unbind Me Now – James Ugwu Eze
11. Why Does God Need a Gun – Ogaga Ifowodo

Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo said the longlisted collections reflect poetry’s enduring ability to explore the human condition through cultural memory, artistic expression and thoughtful reflection.

She noted that the selected works revisit history, question dominant narratives and examine the forces that shape identities and social relationships. Despite their diverse themes and styles, the collections share a commitment to portraying resilience and the experiences of individuals and communities confronting violence, oppression and social fragmentation.

She also highlighted the literary quality of the entries, describing them as rich in lyrical expression, symbolism and artistic innovation. According to her, many of the collections draw inspiration from folklore, oral traditions and contemporary realities while employing evocative language, vivid imagery and emotional depth.

The next stage of the competition will see the judges assess the works based on language, originality, structure, artistic merit and lasting literary value before announcing a three-book shortlist in August.

Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo commended the panel of judges for their professionalism and reaffirmed the Advisory Board’s commitment to a transparent and merit-based selection process that promotes literary excellence and strengthens Nigeria’s reading culture.

Sponsored by the Nigeria LNG (NLNG), the Nigeria Prize for Literature carries a cash prize of $100,000 for the winning author. Now in its 22nd year, the award rotates annually among prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature, with the 2026 edition dedicated to poetry. The winner will be announced in October following the release of the shortlist in August.