The Nigeria Prize for Literature has evolved into the most prominent literary award in Africa and one of the richest literary awards in the world.
By Adedamola Jones Adedayo
Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has unveiled a longlist of eleven poets and their poetry collections for the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Literature, out of the total 223 entries submitted for consideration. The list includes both established and fast-rising Nigerian poets with their titles, as they compete for the prestigious $100,000 award.
This year focuses on poetry, which is in line with the annual award’s tradition of alternating between four literary genres: fiction, poetry, drama, and children’s literature, repeating the cycle every four years.
The selected works and poets are as follows: Adult Love In The Childhood Garden by Tanure Ojaide, Bakandamiya An Elegy 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 Rasaq Malik Gbolahan, The Years of Blood by Adedayo Agarau, Unbind Me Now by James Ngwu Eze, and Why Does God Need a Gun by Ogaga Ifowodo.
The latest announcement follows the emergence of Oyin Olugbile a year ago as winner of the 2025 Nigeria Prize for Literature with her debut novel, Sanya, which won in the prize’s prose fiction category. In honouring poetry, the current edition shifts its attention to a less commercialised aspect of the literary world, creating room for increased attention and readership.
Established in 2004 and sponsored by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas company, the Nigeria Prize for Literature has evolved into the most prominent literary award in Africa and one of the richest literary awards in the world. Its selections often reflect the evolving ideas, concerns, and values that shape each era.
The 2026 longlist equally embraces this ethos, with the poetry collections exploring diverse themes, including memory, grief, migration, history, faith, and identity, which is a testament to the rich, eclectic experiences of contemporary Nigerian poets.
The shortlist of three books for the Nigeria Prize for Literature 2026 will be announced in August, followed by the final winner announcement in October 2026 during the Nigeria LNG Limited Grand Award Night.