In 2012, The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism was added to the stable to encourage literary critics who write on Nigerian literary works. It complements The Nigeria Prize for Literature by rewarding excellent literary critics of Nigerian literature.
Why literary criticism matters
- Rigour – It encourages researchers and essayists to bring careful, well-argued readings to contemporary Nigerian writing.
- A wider readership – Good criticism helps Nigerian novels, plays and poems to be taught, debated and cited in universities and journals at home and abroad.
- Better writing – Honest, constructive critique helps emerging and established authors sharpen their craft.
The prize is administered alongside The Nigeria Prize for Literature by the Advisory Board for Literature.
The call for entries is published here by the Secretariat when entries open.
Entries are critical writings on Nigerian literature: prose, poetry, drama or children’s literature. The call for entries sets out where and when the work must have been published, what to submit and the closing date.
There is no fee to enter.
Past winners will be listed here.