The Nigeria Prize for Literature is a registered charity. The secretariat for the administration of the Prize is also located within Nigeria LNG Limited.
The Nigeria Prize for Literature, known for its transparent assessment process, has recorded over 2,051 entries for 17 competitions that have so far produced 17 winning works since its commencement in February 2004.
With The Nigeria Prize for Literature, it is expected that the quest for a prestigious prize will improve the quality of writing, editing, proof-reading, and publishing in the country with far-reaching positive effect on print, broadcast journalism, film and theatre production.
The competition runs a four-year cycle that revolves around Prose Fiction, Poetry, Drama and Children’s Literature in that order.
Objectives for setting up the Prize
Nigeria became the first in Africa to produce a Nobel Laureate in Literature in the person of Prof. Wole Soyinka. The country also produced one of the most decorated authors in the world, Prof. Chinua Achebe. Then there are the great legacies of other Nigerian writers such as Ben Okri, Cyprian Ekwensi, Femi Osofisan, Gabriel Okara, Christopher Okigbo, Chukwuemeka Ike and Flora Nwapa, whose writings helped positively shape what people know about Nigeria.
An Advisory Board administers the Prize set up by Nigeria LNG Limited. Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo heads the current Advisory Board for Literature. Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo is an emeritus professor of English and a 2007 Nigeria Prize for Literature joint-winner in the Children’s Literature category. Other members are Prof. Olu Obafemi and Prof. Ahmed Yerima.
Members of the Advisory Board for Literature
- Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo (Chair) – Emeritus professor of English, author, literary critic and Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters. Joint winner of The Nigeria Prize for Literature in 2007 (Children’s Literature).
- Professor Olu Obafemi – Playwright, poet and critic, Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, recipient of the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) and former President of the Association of Nigerian Authors.
- Professor Ahmed Yerima – Playwright and professor of theatre arts, and winner of The Nigeria Prize for Literature in 2006 with Hard Ground.
Who does what
- Nigeria LNG Limited (sponsor) – Funds the USD 100,000 prize, provides the Prize Secretariat and hosts the Grand Award Night. The assessment, the shortlists and the choice of winner rest with the judges and the Advisory Board.
- The Advisory Board (oversight) – Sets the rules, appoints the panel of judges and the international consultant, approves the longlist and shortlist, and declares the winning work.
- The panel of judges (assessment) – Reads every eligible book, assesses the entries and prepares the citation for the winning work.
- The international consultant – A literary scholar from outside Nigeria who reviews the judges’ assessment, so the result meets international standards.
How entries are judged
Entries are assessed in rounds. The judges first announce a longlist of 11 books, then a shortlist of three, and finally the winning work, which the Advisory Board approves.
Winners are announced in October, commemorating the first export of LNG cargo by NLNG on October 9, 1999. Winners are honoured at The Grand Award Night, and subsequently presented at another public presentation ceremony.
The call for entries, eligibility rules and the genre for the current cycle are published here by the Secretariat when entries open.
Who can enter
- Nigerian authors, whether they live in Nigeria or in the Diaspora.
- Books in the genre for the current cycle. The prize rotates through Prose Fiction, Poetry, Drama and Children’s Literature, in that order.
- The call for entries sets out who may submit a book, the publication period that qualifies, how many copies to send and the closing date.
No entry fee
There is no fee to enter. Nigeria LNG Limited pays for the administration and judging of the prize. Be wary of anyone who asks for payment to submit an entry.
When entries are open, apply on the Apply page.
Past winners will be listed here.