The Nigeria Prize for Literature 2026 has announced a longlist of 11 poetry collections competing for a $100,000 cash award. The longlist was selected from 223 entries and includes works by notable Nigerian poets such as Tanure Ojaide, Saddiq Dzukogi, and Theresa Lola. The announcement was made by Prof Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, chairman of the Advisory Board, who praised the diverse and high-quality submissions. The prize, now in its 22nd year, focuses on poetry in 2026 and highlights the role of poetry in reflecting cultural memory, challenging historical narratives, and addressing themes of identity and resilience. The next stages of the competition will include a shortlist of three in August and the eventual winner announcement in October.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a literary competition and does not engage with politically charged topics or take a stance on ideological issues. It presents information about the selection process, participating authors, and the significance of the prize without any overt bias or advocacy.


