The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has announced the shortlists for its 2026 literary prizes, naming writers and their works across eight categories, including poetry, fiction, drama, literary criticism and non-fiction.
Founded in 1981 by Chinua Achebe and other prominent Nigerian writers, ANA remains the country’s leading literary body, with a mission to promote literature, protect writers’ rights, and inspire a reading culture. This year’s shortlist, according to their categories, includes:
ANA/KMVL Prize for Poetry
- Abraham Aondoana – Songs for a Burning Continent
- Ebi Yeibo – Cantos of a Capsized Canoe
- Jide Salawu – Contraband Bodies
ANA/King Dakolo Prize for Fiction
- Yejide Kilanko – In Our Own Ways
- Onyikan Braithwaite – Cursed Daughters
- Onyeka Nwelue – Murder in Orania
ANA Prize for Drama
- Uzo Nwamara – Eye of the Emperor
- Selome Medemaku – The Throne of Silence
- Bolaji Olatunde – Life Less Abundant
ANA/Amina Talaku Zakama Prize for Literary Criticism
- Onyebuchi Nwosu – “Poetic Kaleidoscope: Portrayal of Judicial Corruption in Niyi Osundare’s ‘My Lord, Tell Me Where to Keep Your Bribe.’”
- Barthlomew Chizoba Akpah – “Negotiating Nigeria’s Cohesion and the Rhetoric of Herdsmen Attack in Ahmed Yerima’s Hendu.”
- Ekikerebong Aniekan Usoro – “Postcolonialism in Transition: From Counter Discourse to Non-Counter Discourse in Joe Ushie’s Yawns and Belches.”
ANA/Sir Chukwuemeka Sam Nwelue Prize for Non-Fiction
- Al-Bishak – Humility Sparks Progress
- Chude Jideonwo – How Depression Saved My Life
ANA/Ngozi Chuma-Udeh Prize for Children Fiction
- Amaechi Odimeze – Avarice
- Foluke Sijuwola Falayi – Beans for Supper
- Amaka Confidence Obinwogu – Friends till Friday
HRM Eze M. O. Kanu/ ANA Prize for Young Adult Literature
- Erhu Kome – The Smoke that Thunders
- Peter Adah – A Twist of Fate
- Bolaji Tijani – Adamu in Trouble
Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature
- Dexter Loko – The Bako of Zereshe
- Henry Akubuiro – No Place Like Home
- Oyedikachi Uzozie Nmezi – Chikoba
The shortlisted writers will now proceed to the finals, with the winners expected to be announced during the convention in Abuja.
Congratulations to all shortlisted writers!
