In celebration of Olukorede S. Yishau’s recently published novel, After the End, from Masobe Books, reviewers were invited by Afapinen to submit a review of the novel. They were looking for critical reviews that sought to engage and expand the appreciation of the novel. It is safe to say they found such reviews as they recently announced the winners of the competition, including JAY Lit Issue 7 contributor, Evidence Adjarho. The full list of winners is as follows:
- First prize: Ugochukwu Anadi
- Second prize: Sima Essien
- Third prize: Evidence Adjarho
The entries were judged by Tope-EniObanke Adegoke. Adegoke is a literary theorist and critic. He has a Wawa Book Review-Goethe Institut certificate in literary criticism and has written dozens of book reviews for Wawa Book Review and Africa in Words.
On each of the reviews, Adegoke had this to say:
“Anadi expanded the understanding of the novel with an engaging scholarly bent, critically balanced, situating the novel within the canon of African literature. The review is a craft on its own.
Essien’s review sheds light on catharsis as a creative device. In fact, we see his review as a response to concerns raised in Anadi’s. Essien demonstrates a good and positive understanding of the characters in the novel as he explores and highlights After the End.
Adjarho’s review shows an originality and compassionate understanding of the novel as it explores grief and the frailty of the human condition, driving her points home with rich analysis.”
The winners walk away with cash prizes as a well-deserved ode to their engaging reviews. All prizes are in Nigerian Naira.
- First prize:
N150,000 - Second prize:
N50,000 - Third prize:
N30,000
All the winning reviews will be published in Afapinen subsequently.
Congratulations to Ugochukwu, Sima, and Evidence!
Read more on the reviews here.
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.
