Twenty one years after the Nigeria Prize for Literature was introduced, the prize still continues to be a mystery for previous winners.
Only on Thursday, the Prize’s Advisory Board unveiled the shortlist of three with no past winner in the race to win the $100,000 prize of the NLNG-sponsored literary competition, reports Saturday Guardian.
Described as a fiercely competitive edition, the NLNG-sponsored Prize hit a historic high this year, receiving a record-breaking 252 entries. The number exceeded the 2024 total of 163 entries.
This year, critics had pointed to Abubakar Adam Ibrahim’s ‘When We Were Fireflies’ and Chika Unigwe’s ‘The Middle Daughter’ as strong works that will pull surprise. But the unveiling has proven otherwise.
The shortlisted novels, in no particular order, are: ‘Sanya’ by Oyin Olugbile, ‘The Road to the Country’ by Chigozie Obioma and ‘This Motherless Land’ by Nikki May.
The winner of the most prestigious prize in Africa will be unveiled at the grand award ceremony on October 10, 2025.
Reflecting on the announcement of the shortlist, the chairman of the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, described the “process of adjudication as intense, rigorous and meticulous.”
She described the earlier 11 longlisted books as excellent entries, adding that the challenges, which the judges faced this year during adjudication were daunting and unprecedented.
Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo said, “The shortlist before us is exceptional. Each work distinguishes itself through masterful plotting, characterisation, and a good command of language that transports readers into imagined worlds. These are not merely stories, they are carefully woven realities. They are compelling in their beauty, stirring in their emotional resonance, and unflinching in their engagement with familiar yet urgent societal issues. The way the writers handled and resolved conflict highlights their skill and literary standing, making these works quite outstanding.
“Our task, therefore, is clear. It is to choose the most deserving laureate for The Nigeria Prize for Literature, 2025. This cycle has been one of the most competitive yet, with every entry showing an impressive level of excellence that stretched our judgment to the limit. Still, we remain committed to excellence, honouring outstanding writings and keeping alive the vital conversation around Nigerian literature.
“We commend all the authors who submitted their works this year. It has been inspiring to witness such creativity and passion. On behalf of Emeritus Professor Olu Obafemi, Professor Ahmed Yerima, and myself, I can say it is a privilege to be part of something so meaningful and honourable.”
Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo also commended the judging panel for their uncompromising evaluation, ensuring that only the most outstanding works earned a place in the shortlist of three.
This year’s panel of judges is chaired by Associate Professor Saeedat Bolajoko Aliyu of the Department of English, Kwara State University. Other members of the panel include Professor Stephen Mbanefo Ogene, Professor of Comparative Literature, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and Mr Olakunle Kasumu, writer, filmmaker, producer, and host of Channels Television’s Book Club.
According to the judges, the shortlist represents the best of Nigerian prose writing, exploring culturally-relevant themes and telling stories that are exciting, entertaining and instructive.
They noted: “Olugbile’s Sanya is a fascinating novel. From the cover to the plot that grabs attention, the author is unrelenting at keeping the story pacey and intriguing.
“The Road to the Country by Obioma masterfully explores alternative realities alongside a captivating story of love, brotherhood and a devastating war.
“This Motherless Land is emotionally charged and alluring. The writing is brilliant and the characters riveting. Nikki May successfully straddles the cultures of two different countries,” the judges stated.
The Nigeria Prize for Literature rotates among four genres of literature: prose fiction, poetry, drama, and children’s literature.
