The longlist of the Blessing Kolajo Poetry Prize 2024 (BKPP), themed “Fragment Of Time” has been revealed! This year’s entries explore the complexities of time, its fleeting nature, its fragments held in memory, and its impact on both individual and collective experiences.
The 30 longlisted authors are:
- Anatomy of my grandmother hanging in a scythe by Agboola Tariq
- Laments: Where the things I love, are slowly becoming extinct by Eliongema Udofia
- Infestation by Chinemerem Prince Nwankwo
- Clicks by Korede Badmus
- Boys from my home has a thing for grief by Timileyin Adepoju
- The measure of tender things by Omobolanle Alashe
- Then, now and in – between by Tonjiye Light
- We do not say prayers for dead men by Chiamaka Ogiji
- Dementia by Shiloh Okparanma
- Goldfish by Ezinne Igbokwe
- This little life will be infinite by Precious Chidera Harrison
- Postbellum by Pacella Chukwuma Eke
- Resistance by Fatiha Quadri
- Yesterday calls but today is too late to answer by Joemario Umana
- When it is all said and done by Gift Onobhamiuokor
- Healing by Paul Olayioye
- A limbo of forgotten things by Emmanuel Ikechukwu
- Home is a stomach. My father is a kite by Mubarak Said
- Prodigal boys by John Ebute
- Homecoming by Fadairo Tesleem
- Ode to my Adidas Sneakers by Olumide Manuel
- The sun sets here by Wisdom Adediji
- Debris of time travel by Abubakar Auwal
- Old age by Arikewusola Abdul
- Time balm by Gimbiya Galadima
- Requiem of a thousand dreams by Owoeye, Taiwo Bisola
- Ephemeral by Edith Ojonumi Sani
- Paper seed by Nneoma Mbalew
- Horsehair by Oluwadamilola Akinbo
- Duro is fleeting by Olaosebikan Feyisitan
The Blessing Kolajo Poetry Prize is proudly sponsored by the Blessing Kolajo Poetry Writers Association (BKPWA), the International Literary Magazine and Art Initiative for New Experiences (IMAGINe), and Geko, a notable arts organisation. Together, they continue to foster the growth of African poetry.
Congratulations to all longlisted authors!
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
