The Nigeria Prize for Literature unveils 2026 poetry longlist

Eleven outstanding poetry collections have emerged on the longlist of The Nigeria Prize for Literature, selected from 223 received for the competition.

The announcement of the Longlist was made by the chairman of the Advisory Board for the Prize, Prof Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo.

It marks a significant milestone in this year’s competition and reflects the exceptional quality, creativity, and diversity of contemporary poetry.

The longlisted titles, arranged alphabetically are:

Adult Love by Tanure Ojaide

Bakandimiya by Saddiq Dzukogi

Black Passport by Paul Akpomuje

2000 Blacks by Ajibola Tolase

Ceremony for The Nameless by Theresa Lola

Corpus: Animistic Verses by Ayo Oyeku

Floral’s Love Colony by Tares Oburumu

The Origin of Wounds by Malik Gbolahan

The Years of Blood by Adebayo Agarau

Unbind Me Now by James Ugwu Eze  

Why Does God Need a Gun by Ogaga Ifowodo.

Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo described the announcement as an important stage in the 2026 edition of the arguably African biggest and most prestigious literary Prize.

She noted that the collections demonstrate the remarkable capacity of poetry to illuminate human experience through thoughtful reflection, cultural memory, and artistic expression.

She added that the works revisit history while interrogating dominant historical narratives and exposing the forces that shape collective identities and social relations. 

She stated that despite their varied emphases, the books share a commitment to exploring the endurance of individuals and communities in the face of violence, oppression, and social fragmentation.

Commenting on style and language, Prof. Adimora-Ezeigbo said the books display an impressive diversity of poetic techniques marked by lyrical intensity, symbolic depth, and artistic innovation.

She said: “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.”

Prof Adimora-Ezeigbo also commended the judges for their work and reaffirmed the Advisory Board’s commitment to a credible process, literary excellence, and promotion of a strong reading culture.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖