The African Speculative Fiction Society (ASFS) has announced the winners of the 2025 Nommo Awards, revealing them during the Opening Ceremony of the Aké Arts and Book Festival on Thursday in Lagos. The announcement drew writers, artists, readers, and cultural leaders from across the world to celebrate the best speculative fiction by African creators.
Now in its eighth year, the Nommo Awards honor excellence in four categories: Best Novel, Best Novella, Best Short Story and Best Graphic Novel.
2025 Nommo Award Winners
- Ilube Award for Best Novel: Womb City by Tlotlo Tsamaase (Erewhon Books, 2024)
- Best Novella: Lost Ark Dreaming by Suyi Davies Okungbowa (Tor Publishing Group, 2024)
- Best Short Story: ‘From Across Time’ by Chisom Umeh (Clarkesworld, 2024)
- Best Graphic Novel: Celestial Eyes by John Uche and Francis (The Machine Publishing, 2024)
Representing The African Speculative Fiction Society. Muna Khogali said:
“These works represent some of the most innovative, daring, and visionary storytelling coming out of Africa and the African diaspora. To experience their recognition live at Aké Arts and Book Festival, in front of a passionate and engaged audience was profoundly moving. Our creators are redefining global speculative fiction.”
The announcement comes after a year of expanded international engagement for the Society, including programming at Worldcon Seattle and new collaborations such as the Applied African SF initiative with Imperial College London, the University of Nairobi, Vector Magazine and the International Black Speculative Writing Festival. ASFS has also transitioned into a Community Interest Company (CIC), a move expected to strengthen long-term support for African writers and artists.
ASFS continues to run professional development workshops, foster publishing and academic partnerships, expand its membership across Africa and the diaspora, and maintain a growing database of African speculative fiction.
The Aké Arts and Book Festival, now in its thirteenth year, remains one of the continent’s most influential literary gatherings. Organised by the Book Buzz Foundation, the festival draws more than a thousand writers, creators, and cultural thinkers each year and remains committed to promoting and showcasing African creative excellence.
Congratulations to the 2025 Nommo Award Winners!
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
