The NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature has announced this year’s shortlist consisting of three finalists that have been recognized as the leading contenders for the prize, chosen from a pool of 163 books submitted for this year’s competition.
In no particular order, meet the finalists as well as their compelling pieces:
- Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmo – A Father’s Pride
- Familoni Oluranti Olubunmi – The Road Does Not End
- Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike – Wish Maker
The Nigeria Prize for Literature is a registered charity. The secretariat for the administration of the Prize is also located within Nigeria LNG Limited.
The Nigeria Prize for Literature, known for its transparent assessment process, has recorded over 2,051 entries for 17 competitions that have so far produced 17 winning works since its commencement in February 2004.
With The Nigeria Prize for Literature, it is expected that the quest for a prestigious prize will improve the quality of writing, editing, proof-reading, and publishing in the country with a far-reaching positive effect on print, broadcast journalism, film and theatre production.
The competition runs a four-year cycle that revolves around Prose Fiction, Poetry, Drama and Children’s Literature in that order.
An Advisory Board administers the Prize set up by Nigeria LNG Limited. Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo heads the current Advisory Board for Literature. Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo is an emeritus professor of English and a 2007 The Nigeria Prize for Literature joint-winner in the Children’s Literature category. Other members are Prof. Olu Obafemi and Prof. Ahmed Yerima. Prof. Obafemi is a playwright, poet and Professor of English at the University of Ilorin. Prof. Yerima is a professor of Theatre and Performing Arts at the Redeemer’s University. He is also a Laureate of The Nigeria Prize for Literature in the Drama category (2006).
Winners are announced in October, commemorating the first export of LNG cargo by NLNG on October 9, 1999. Winners are honoured at The Grand Award Night, a grade A public ceremony, attended by the la crème of the Nigerian society, including former Heads of State. Winners are subsequently honoured and publicly presented at another public presentation ceremony.
The Nigeria Prize for Literature, sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), comes with a substantial cash award of $100,000.
This year’s focus centres on Children’s Literature. Keep an eye out for the upcoming winner announcement!
The winner will be announced by the Advisory Board on October 11, 2024.
Congratulations Ndidi, Familoni, and Uchechukwu!
Read more about the prize Introduction – The Nigeria Prizes Website.
Bongiwe T. Maphosa
Bongiwe Maphosa is a budding author with a passion for storytelling. With her thought-provoking narratives, she takes her readers on a literary adventure. Bongiwe's works on the human condition from a fresh perspective have earned her recognition and publications in the Avbob Poetry Anthology of 2019, The Writer's Club of South Africa 2021, and JAY Lit in 2021. She hopes to cement her place in the literary community.
