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Sprinng has unveiled this year’s shortlist for its poetry contest. In no particular order, here are the poets shortlisted:

• ‘Finding Faith within the Rubble’ by Adedokun Ibrahim
• ‘In The Aftermath of A War’ by Chinecherem Enujioke
• ‘All Things Are Deep’ By Chinuzoke Chinuwa
• ‘Migrant’ by Michael Emerald Oladosu
• ‘Onitsha: The Town of Bustles’ by Miracle Nwegbo

The shortlistees were chosen from a longlist which comprised of themselves and the following poets and their works:

• ‘Caged Memoir’ by Emmanuella Koori
• ‘A Song Inside My Belly’ by Mayowa Oladeji
• ‘War is a Plaything for Broken Men’ by Michael Bestman
• ‘Three-Legged Dreams’ by Victor Achi
• ‘Finding Metaphors for Boys Littered in My Country’ By Victor Obukata

Established in 2016 by Oyindamola Shoola and Kanyinsola Olorunnisola, Sprinng fosters a thriving network that empowers diverse African writers, amplifies their voices, and celebrates their literature.

The literary platform publishes literature, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, book reviews, interviews, anthologies, and more, connecting a devoted audience to the works of African writers. It conducts an annual creative Writing Fellowship for developing writers in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and South Africa.

Sprinng facilitates an Advancement Fellowship that helps develop content and professional communication skills to attain academic and career goals. It also runs an annual Poetry Contest with a unique theme to celebrate its anniversary. It establishes innovative programs and projects to remove barriers that African writers experience.

Congratulations Chinecherem, Chinuzoke, Michael, Adedokun, and Miracle on being shortlisted for this year’s Sprinng Annual Poetry Contest!

Visit the Sprinng website to read the awe-inspiring poems.

Bongiwe T. Maphosa

Bongiwe Maphosa is a writer whose fiction and poetry offers fresh, imaginative perspectives on the human condition. Her work has been  published in prominent literary spaces, including Isele Magazine, Akowdee Magazine, the AVBOB Poetry Anthology, Journal of African Youth in Literature (JAY Lit), and more. She was also nominated for the 2025 Best of the Net Anthology. Bongiwe is one of six writers selected for the inaugural Caine Prize Online Editing program and serves as a content writer, peer reviewer, and tier three awards judge for JAYLit. Bridging inner reflection with speculative worlds, she continues to carve out a distinctive voice within contemporary African literature for a growing global audience.