11 on the run for $100,000 as the Nigeria Prize for Literature unveils 2026 Poetry Longlist
Eleven outstanding poetry collections have been longlisted for the 2026 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Literature, selected from 223 entries received for this year’s competition.
The announcement, made by the Chairman of the Prize’s Advisory Board, Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, 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:
1. Adult Love by Tanure Ojaide
2. Bakandamiya by Saddiq Dzukogi
3. Black Passport by Paul Akpomuje
4. 2000 Blacks by Ajibola Tolase
5. Ceremony for 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 Agarau
10. Unbind Me Now by James Ugwu Eze
11. Why Does God Need a Gun by Ogaga Ifowodo
Describing the announcement as an important milestone in the 2026 edition of what is arguably Africa’s biggest and most prestigious literary prize, Prof. Adimora-Ezeigbo said the longlisted collections demonstrate poetry’s remarkable capacity to illuminate the human experience through thoughtful reflection, cultural memory, and artistic expression.
She noted that the works revisit history while interrogating dominant historical narratives and exposing the forces that shape collective identities and social relations. Despite their varied thematic emphases, she said, the books share a commitment to exploring the resilience of individuals and communities in the face of violence, oppression, and social fragmentation.
Commenting on the style and language of the entries, Prof. Adimora-Ezeigbo said the collections display an impressive diversity of poetic techniques, characterised by lyrical intensity, symbolic depth, and artistic innovation.
“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 diligence and reaffirmed the Advisory Board’s commitment to a credible adjudication process, literary excellence, and the promotion of a vibrant reading culture.
The announcement of the 11-title longlist formally opens the next phase of the competition, leading to the unveiling of a three-title shortlist in August and the announcement of the winner in October.
Sponsored by NLNG, The Nigeria Prize for Literature carries a cash award of US$100,000 for the author of the winning book.
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.
