The Brigitte Poirson Literature Prize (BPLP) has released its longlist for the 2025 competition, continuing its mission to recognise outstanding literary talent in poetry and short fiction.
Named in honour of French poet, editor, and literary patron Brigitte Poirson, the BPLP evolved from the earlier Brigitte Poirson Poetry Contest into a broader literature prize celebrating both poetry and short fiction.
Longlisted Poems
- The Hands That Painted the Sky – Olukitibi Elizabeth Atilola
- A Father’s Sacrifice – Ariyo Ahmad Akanni
- The Deep of Relativity – Oladimeji Adam Adedayo
- Innocence – Grace Ezinne Ajunwa
- Mother in the Mirror – Halimah Adisa
- How Do I Glorify My Country When It Runs the Faces of Razor Blades on My Skin? – Godwin Obaji
- Alone in the Time of Migration – Tamani Tatiana Sale
- The Bulbul & the Geometry of Dawn – Abubakar Ibrahim
- Age Is a River – Azeez Odunjo
- The Seed I Dare Not Eat – Jimoh Lateef Aderoju
- The Rainmaker’s Daughter – Oladoyin Ayodeji Victor
- Autopsy of a Deceased Country – Adebola Temitayo Ogunyemi
- Just a Poet – Genesis Onyekachi Obinna
- The Tailor’s Gospel – Elizabeth Abosede Akindutire
- Something in This Weather Does Not Love Me – Wisdom Nemi Otikor
- I Want to Run Away from My Country – Michael Agunbiade
- Post-Apocalypse – Pacella Chukwuma-Eke
- A Day in My Life – Ima-abasi Udo
- The Song of Nature – Iyanuoluwa Oni
- Field Notes on Birth & Oblivion – Blessing Omeiza Ojo
Longlisted Short Stories
- “The Weight of Our Steps” – Christian Emecheta
- “A Dark Quinquennial” – Ibrahim Oga
- “CTRL Z” – Ikechukwu Henr
- “Woman” – Abdulrahman M. Abu-Yaman
- “An Ehi Speaks” – Adesuwa Agbonile
- “(In/Re)Surrection” – Chimezie Okoro
- “The Season of Migration to the North” – Daniel Yohanna
- “The Gods Are Wise” – John Ebut
- “Feed Us Your Heart” – Jane Udochi
- “Hostage Song” – Daniel Echezona
The shortlist is expected to be announced before the end of December 2025, with winners of the $400 cash prize to be revealed in January 2026.
Congratulations to all longlistees!
