11 writers compete for $100,000 Nigeria prize for literature 2025

By Damiete Braide

The race for the 2025 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Literature has officially started, as the Advisory Board for the Prize announced a longlist of 11 standout prose fiction works from an overwhelming 252 submissions.

Sponsored by the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), the prestigious award offers a cash prize of $100,000, and this year’s competition, dedicated to prose fiction, is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic.

Revealing the longlist today, the Advisory Board, chaired by eminent scholar and writer, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, expressed enthusiasm about the diversity and literary depth of the selected titles.

In her statement, Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo noted that the longlist not only reflects the literary richness in Nigeria and the diaspora but also embodies the emotional and intellectual complexity that quality storytelling offers.

“These books are windows into diverse worlds, each brimming with depth, emotion and craftsmanship,” she said. “From this point forward, towards the shortlist and eventual winner, the journey promises to be one of profound emotional resonance, with each page drawing us closer to a deserving champion.”

The 11 longlisted books, arranged alphabetically by title, include, An Unusual Grief by Yewande Omotoso, Fine Dreams by Linda Masi, Leave My Bones in Saskatoon by Michael Afenfia, New York My Village by Uwem Akpan, PETRICHOR, The Scent of a New Beginning by Ayo Oyeku, Sanya by Oyin Olugbile, The Middle Daughter by Chika Unigwe, The Road to the Country by Chigozie Obioma, This Motherless Land by Nikki May, Water Baby by Chioma Okereke, When We Were Fireflies by Abubakar Adam Ibrahim

“Each of these authors brings a unique voice and thematic richness to the longlist, touching on complex subjects, such as grief, migration, belonging and the evolving Nigerian experience.

“The Nigeria Prize for Literature rotates annually across four genres: prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature. With this year’s focus on prose, the competition underscores the power of narrative fiction to not only entertain but to provoke thought and inspire change.

Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo commended the judges for their rigorous selection process, praising their ability to sift through hundreds of submissions to spotlight works that uphold the highest standards of literary excellence. She reiterated the Advisory Board’s ongoing commitment to nurturing a strong reading culture and championing literature that resonates across generations.

The climax of the prize cycle will be a grand award night in October, marking the anniversary of NLNG’s first LNG export in 1999. As anticipation builds, readers, critics, and writers alike await the next stage of the competition, when the shortlist is unveiled and one author ultimately claims the crown.

In what promises to be a defining moment for Nigerian literature in 2025, the longlist offers not only a literary celebration but also a testament to the enduring power of stories to reflect, challenge and transform society.