FULL LIST: Nigeria Prize for Literature announces longlist for $100,000 poetry prize

The Advisory Board of The Nigeria Prize for Literature has unveiled the longlist for the 2026 edition of the prestigious award, with 11 poetry collections shortlisted from 223 entries submitted for this year’s competition.

Announcing the longlist on Thursday, the Chairman of the Advisory Board, Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, described the selection as a reflection of the outstanding quality, creativity and diversity of contemporary Nigerian poetry.

The longlisted titles, arranged alphabetically, are:

1. Adult Love by Tanure Ojaide
2. Bakandimiya by Saddiq Dzukogi
3. Black Passport by Paul Akpomuje
4. 2000 Blacks by Ajibola Tolase
5. Ceremony of The Nameless by Theresa Lola
6. Corpus: Animistic Verses by Ayo Oyeku
7. Floral’s Love Colony by Tares Oburumu
8. The Origin of Wounds by Malik Gbolahan
9. The Years of Blood by Adebayo Agaru
10. Unbind Me Now by James Ugwu Eze
11. Why Does God Need a Gun by Ogaga Ifowodo.

Prof. Adimora-Ezeigbo described the announcement as an important milestone in the 2026 edition of what she called one of Africa’s biggest and most prestigious literary prizes.

She said the selected collections demonstrate poetry’s enduring ability to illuminate human experiences through thoughtful reflection, cultural memory and artistic expression.

According to her, the works revisit history while interrogating dominant historical narratives and exposing the forces that shape collective identities and social relationships. Despite their different themes, she noted that the books share a commitment to exploring resilience in the face of violence, oppression and social fragmentation.

Commenting on the literary quality of the entries, she said the collections exhibit remarkable diversity in style, characterised by lyrical intensity, symbolic depth and artistic innovation.

She noted that many of the works employ allegorical and elegiac techniques that invite multiple interpretations, while others draw from folklore, oral traditions and contemporary realities to create a rich fusion of the past and present.

“Many employ densely poetic, allegorical, and elegiac modes that invite multiple layers of

interpretation, while others draw extensively on folklore, oral traditions, and contemporary

realities to create a compelling fusion of past and present. Their language is generally fluid,

evocative, and aesthetically refined, relying on vivid imagery, emotional resonance, and

intellectual sophistication to communicate complex ideas. These works demonstrate how

poetic language can illuminate social realities; challenge established perspectives and give

voice to both individual and collective experiences.

“The next stage will demand a closer reading of each work, with attention to language, form,

originality and lasting literary value,” she stated.

She also commended the panel of judges for their dedication and reaffirmed the Advisory Board’s commitment to maintaining a credible selection process while promoting literary excellence and a vibrant reading culture.

The announcement formally opens the next phase of the competition, with a shortlist of three books expected in August, while the winner will be announced in October.

Sponsored by the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), The Nigeria Prize for Literature carries a cash award of $100,000 for the winning author. Now in its 22nd year, the prize rotates annually among four genres—prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature—with the 2026 edition dedicated to poetry.