The SEVHAGE Prizes have unveiled their 2024 longlists for African Literary Criticism, Creative Non-Fiction, and Fiction categories.
Selected from an impressive 857 submissions, these longlists showcase exceptional entries across the three categories. The judging panel, led by Professor Hyginus Ekwuazi, commended the high quality of submissions, noting that many outstanding entries narrowly missed a spot in this year’s longlists due to the competitive nature of the selection process.
African Literary Criticism Longlist :
- The Precedents of African Criticism by Ademuyiwa Adewale
- Narratives of Resistance in Postcolonial Africa by Adewuyi Aremu Ayodeji
- African Literary Consciousness in the 21st Century by Alexander Izang
- Revolution and Ideology: Re-reading African Literature by Bizuum Yadok
- African Literary Identity and Globalization by Davidson Iwunze
- The Evolution of African Feminist Criticism by Deborah Uzomah
- Cultural Hybridity in Postcolonial African Fiction by Dina Yerima-Avazi
- Post-independence Narratives in African Writing by Dooga Theophilus
- Colonial Legacies in African Literature by Ekikereobong Usoro
- Afro-diasporic Literature and Its Impact on African Thought by Gogo Iorwuese
- Reclaiming African History through Fiction by Ifeoma Onwugbufor
- Transnational African Literature and Identity Crisis by Ikechukwu Egbuta
- The Representation of Gender in African Novels by Joseph Christopher
- African Literature and the Question of Nationalism by Lubem Agber
- Voices from the Margins: Reframing African Literary Criticism by Nzube Nlebedim
- Neo-colonialism and Its Reflections in African Writing by Ogochukwu Ukwueze
- Literary Hybridity and Its Impacts on African Narratives by Olajuwon Joseph
- The Discourse of Liberation in African Literature by Onyebuchi Nwosu
- Social Realism in African Fiction by Petrina Atom
- Language and Power in African Literary Traditions by Terese Uwuave
- Post-coloniality and the Future of African Literature by Uchenna Emelife
- Modern African Literature and Its Global Reception by Witness Agaba
The Eugenia Abu/SEVHAGE International Prize for Creative Non-Fiction 2024 Longlist
This prize, named after the celebrated Nigerian broadcaster and writer Eugenia Abu, honors outstanding works of creative nonfiction from writers across the globe. Below is the longlist (in alphabetical order of titles):
- A Failed Attempt at Sanity by Damilola Omotoyinbo
- A Moni Wata Effigy by Cari Terver
- Afunwaelotanna by Chinonso Nzeh
- Agnus Dei by Pacella Chukwuma-Ekeh
- Compass Rose by Abasi-maenyin Esebre
- Crossing the Road by Olaposi Halim
- Directions to Black Avenue by Ademola Adefolami
- Finding Butterflies by Winifred Odunoku
- Finding Home by Temitayo Olofinlua
- Five Things Mother Did Not Prepare Me For by Sumaiyah Muhammad Salisu
- Grave Visits and Other Worries by Sanusi Sanusi
- Home is Not a Place, It is a Memory by Prosper Mayor
- I Have Come to Understand That a Daughter’s Marriage is Also as Difficult as Giving Birth to Her by Chinua Ezenwa-Ohaeto
- Motherhood by Summaya Jaeh
- Museum of Scars by Olajesutofunmi Akinyemi
- My Grandma’s Memory Box by Mariam Tijani
- One Day by Salim Yanusa
- Rinsing Death by Nasiba Babale
- Riverside Resurgence by Juliet Ugbedeojo
- Sister, I Sober by Chris Baah
- Songs of Freedom by Mofiyinfoluwa O. Mofiyinfoluwa
- Telltales and Aftermaths by Olanrewaju Apata
- The Crocodile’s Last Grunt by Anastesia Orahili
- The Epiphany by Thecla Uzozie
- The Protest Lamb by Ojo Blessing
- To Ife, My Life in Songs by Chinaza James-Ibe
- We Bought an Album in June by Nana Hauwa-Sule
- What Does a Summer Weigh by Adul Jabbar Obiagwu
- What’s in a Bird’s Nest? by Nater Akpen
- You Are Memory by Ayodeji Israel
The K & L Prize for Fiction 2024 Longlist
- A Funky Business Called Parenthood by Olayinka Yaqub
- Alkaline by Queen Deraa
- Book of Confrontation by Hajaarh Muhammad Bashar
- Cloud Bubble by Adata Felix Odumo
- Fractals by Praise Chidinma Abraham
- Gentle Boy by John Ebute
- Gloss by Grace Omolola
- Grief Hears the Sound of a Pin; Love Listens to the Wind by Justice Chinonso Orekyei
- Heavy by Justin Clement
- Labyrinth by Peace Ufedojo Haruna
- My Mother’s Miracle by Hajara Hussaini Ashara
- Neneh by Uchenna Ekwereemadu
- Nurturing a Child by Chinaza Agomuoh
- Our Bodies by Abdulrahman Hussaini
- Quicksand by Ruby Excel
- Saving Adanna by Amira Abdul-Azeez
- The Thing with Feathers by Akinsanya Adeniyi Emmanuel
- The Water Scar by Enit’ayanye Ayosojumi Akinsanya
- The Whispers by Temiloluwa Ruth Areola
- This, too, will pass by Amanda Ilozumba Otitobuchukwu
- Unexplainable Bygones by Raphael Adebayo
- We Sell Baby Dogs Here by Eugene Yakubu Shichet
The SEVHAGE Literary Prizes, established in 2019 by the SEVHAGE Literary and Development Initiative and SEVHAGE Publishers, are annual awards that celebrate exceptional contributions in African literature and the arts. Open to both African and international writers, these prizes honor outstanding works across various categories, including poetry, prose, spoken word, drama, dance, and general writing.
Stay tuned for the shortlist announcement on 27th December 2024, with the final winner to be revealed on 31st December 2024. For more updates, visit www.sevhage.com or follow SEVHAGE across social media platforms
Congratulations to all longlisted authors!
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
