Nigerian poet Nnamdi Ndiolo has been named the winner of the 2025 Lucky Jefferson Poetry Contest for his standout poem, Testament.
His work rose to the top from more than 600 submissions, earning him the contest’s $100 prize and publication in Lucky Jefferson’s 365 Collection, slated for release on January 25, 2026.
Speaking on the winning poem, Ahmad Almallah, said:
“I felt a great hunger to see more poet’s work on language/body/borders. It imagines and re-imagines the relationship with the so-called “mother-tongue”. I like that the mother/land and mother/tongue here is not kind. The poem explores new territory: the violence of the mother tongue and tongue toward the speaker. It opens a door to explore the mother tongue as another blade — or the original blade. It balances simplicity with earned complexity in every word. You can read and re-read it, and it keeps offering something new.”
Nnamdi Ndiolo is a Nigerian poet of Igbo heritage. His works explore themes of language, body, and trauma, and has received recognition for his writing. His works have appeared in New Orleans Review, Bi+Poets Anthology, The Kalahari Review, Konya Shamsrumi and elsewhere. He tweets at @mirrorofbryan and grams at @firelord_bryan.
Congratulations, Nnamdi Ndiolo!
Sarah Adeyemo
Sarah Adeyemo, Swan IX, is a Nigerian poet, writer, editor, spoken word artiste and communication expert. The debut author of “The Shape of Silence”. She draws inspiration from solitude and experiences. She is a fellow of the SprinNG Writing Fellowship. Her works appeared or are forthcoming in Akpata Magazine, The Shallow Tales Review, The Muse Journal, The Weganda Review, Everscribe Magazine, Afrillhill Press, Poems For Persons Interest, TV-63 Magazine, Northern Writers Forum Journal, Eboquills, Rinna Lit. Anthologies, and elsewhere. She tweets @SarahInkspires.
