{"id":24157,"date":"2025-07-27T00:10:31","date_gmt":"2025-07-26T23:10:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thenigeriaprizes.org\/?page_id=24157"},"modified":"2026-02-22T17:00:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T16:00:15","slug":"press-statements","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.thenigeriaprizes.org\/?page_id=24157","title":{"rendered":"News"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Nigeria Prizes rebrands with new visual identities <\/strong><\/h2>\n

NLNG, 29 January 2026,  unveiled the new visual brand elements for The Nigeria Prize for Literature, The Nigeria Prize for Science, and the newly introduced The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts at a press conference in Lagos, marking a new phase in the evolution of these Nigeria\u2019s foremost platforms for intellectual and creative excellence.<\/p>\n

Speaking at the unveiling, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, Sophia Horsfall, described the new visual identities as a strategic repositioning of the prizes to ensure sustained relevance and global resonance. She noted that the refreshed logos reinforce NLNG\u2019s commitment to the promotion of intellectual and creative capital as critical drivers of sustainable development.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor over two decades, The Nigeria Prizes have stood as independent symbols of excellence and national aspiration. This redesign is deliberate and forward-looking. It protects the legacy of the prizes while positioning them to be more visible, more iconic, and aligned with global standards of distinction into the future,\u201d Horsfall said.<\/p>\n

She added that novel ideas remain central to national progress, \u201cIdeas shape societies, and societies that invest in ideas secure their future. These new identities reaffirm our belief that literature, science, and innovation are not optional; they are foundational to Nigeria\u2019s development.\u201d<\/p>\n

The logo for The Nigeria Prize for Literature draws inspiration from the turning pages of a book. Rendered in layered green forms, it symbolises imagination in motion, stories unfolding, voices rising, and ideas taking flight. The fluid curves reflect storytelling in all its forms, including fiction, poetry, drama, and prose, while the green palette represents renewal, learning, and the fertile landscape of Nigerian literature. The gradient suggests growth, tracing the journey of ideas from seed to story, with a sense of calm dynamism that speaks to reflection, dialogue, and the enduring vitality of the written word.<\/p>\n

Commenting on the symbolism, Chairperson of the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature, Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo said the logo captures the enduring power of Nigerian storytelling.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe turning pages remind us that our stories are continuous, rooted in history yet constantly renewed. Nigerian literature has never been static, and this identity affirms its role as a dynamic force shaping thoughts, conscience, and cultural memory,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

She added that the design sends a strong message to writers and thinkers that their voices matter and that imagination remains central to our collective destiny.<\/p>\n

The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation logo is formed from intersecting blue orbits, evoking atomic energy, electron pathways, and celestial motion. Its circular composition conveys continuity and the boundless nature of scientific inquiry, while the blue-lime palette reflects curiosity, intelligence, and the pursuit of truth. The identity celebrates Nigeria\u2019s commitment to evidence-based inquiry and innovation, honouring those who push beyond the known to build a future powered by knowledge and imagination.<\/p>\n

The Chairman of the Advisory Board for The Nigerian Prize for Science and Innovation, Prof. Barth Nnaji, described the Science and Innovation logo as a reflection of the discipline, rigour, and ambition required for national transformation.<\/p>\n

\u201cScience is about movement, questioning, testing, and pushing boundaries. The energy captured in this identity reflects the spirit Nigeria must embrace to industrialise, compete, and solve complex challenges.  The Prize remains a vital platform for recognising continuous and purposeful innovation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Completing the trio, the Nigerian Prize for Creative Arts logo is anchored by a lime-green spiral that represents innovation, continuity, and creative momentum. Its fluid form reflects the breadth of artistic disciplines encompassed by the Prize and the dynamic nature of the creative process. The spiral\u2019s motion conveys rhythm, progress, and interconnectedness, while the lime-green palette signals freshness, optimism, and originality.<\/p>\n

The redesign follows NLNG\u2019s recent corporate brand refresh and the alignment of its visual assets with a modern design approach. Collectively, the redesigned logos articulate a unified vision that celebrates intellectual rigour, creative excellence, and the transformative power of ideas, positioning The Nigeria Prizes for the future, while reinforcing their role as beacons of thought leadership, cultural relevance, and national pride.<\/p>\n

Since the inception of The Nigeria Prize for Literature and The Nigeria Prize for Science in 2004, they have maintained a consistent visual identity that helped establish strong brand equity. Building on this strong legacy, the refreshed identities reflect a deliberate evolution that strengthens the Prizes\u2019 role as leading drivers of intellectual, creative, and national impact.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Sanya<\/em> by Oyin Olugbile Wins The Nigeria Prize for Literature 2025<\/h2>\n

Sanya, the novel by Oyin Olugbile, has been announced as the winner of The Nigeria Prize for Literature 2025, one of Africa\u2019s most prestigious literary awards worth USD $100,000.<\/p>\n

The announcement was made on 10th October 2025 at the NLNG Grand Award Night in Lagos by Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Chair of the Prize\u2019s Advisory Board. Olugbile\u2019s Sanya was selected from 252 submitted novels.<\/p>\n

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A Bold Retelling of Yoruba Mythology<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo commended Olugbile\u2019s innovative storytelling, describing Sanya<\/em> as \u201cdistinct and daring\u201d for its reinterpretation of Yoruba mythology<\/strong>\u2014especially the bold re-imagining of Sango as a female character<\/strong>. She praised Olugbile\u2019s lucid prose and accessible style, noting that the story\u2019s fantastical world draws readers deeply into its mythic universe.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe were impressed by the quality of the shortlisted novels. Each represents a significant leap in local publishing,\u201d
\u2014 Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Chair, Advisory Board, The Nigeria Prize for Literature<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Other shortlisted titles for the 2025 edition were The Road to the Country<\/em><\/strong> by Chigozie Obioma<\/em> and This Motherless Land<\/em><\/strong> by Nikki May<\/em>\u2014both acclaimed for their powerful narratives and high production quality.<\/p>\n

Celebrating Excellence in Literary Criticism<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The 2025 Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism<\/strong>, worth USD $10,000<\/strong>, was awarded to Okwudiri Anasiudu<\/strong> for his essays exploring African identity and narrative technique, including:<\/p>\n

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  • Afropolitan Identity and Afrodiasporic Otherness in Selected African Novels<\/em><\/li>\n
  • Allegorical Conjectures in Helon Habila\u2019s Measuring Time<\/em><\/li>\n
  • Mimetic Designs in Helon Habila\u2019s Oil on Water<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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    NLNG Announces New Prize for Creative Arts<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    In a landmark announcement, NLNG Managing Director and CEO, Philip Mshelbila<\/strong>, revealed the introduction of a new category \u2014 The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts<\/strong>, debuting with a focus on Documentary Film<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Mshelbila noted that the new Prize will \u201cinspire a new generation of storytellers to inform, challenge, and connect Nigerians more deeply to who we are as a nation and who we can become.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

    He also announced that The Nigeria Prize for Science<\/strong> will be renamed The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation<\/strong>, reflecting NLNG\u2019s belief in the synergy between science, creativity, and progress.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

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