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By Damiete Braide
The race for the coveted $100,000 Nigeria Prize for Literature has intensified with the unveiling of an 11-title longlist for the 2026 edition dedicated to poetry, following a rigorous selection process from 223 entries submitted by poets across the country and beyond.
The announcement was made by the Chairman of the Advisory Board for the prize, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, who described the longlist as a significant milestone in this year’s competition and a reflection of the outstanding quality, creativity and diversity that continue to define contemporary Nigerian poetry.
The 11 longlisted poetry collections, 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 and Why Does God Need a Gun by Ogaga Ifowodo.
Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo said the announcement marks an important stage in what is widely regarded as Africa’s biggest and most prestigious literary prize, noting that the selected collections demonstrate poetry’s enduring ability to illuminate the human condition through reflection, cultural memory and artistic expression.
According to her, the longlisted works revisit history while questioning dominant historical narratives and exposing the forces that shape collective identities and social relationships. She added that despite their varied themes and styles, the books share a common commitment to exploring resilience and the endurance of individuals and communities confronting violence, oppression and social fragmentation.
Commenting on the literary qualities of the entries, the Advisory Board chairman said the collections display remarkable diversity in poetic style, characterised by lyrical intensity, symbolic richness and artistic innovation. She explained that several of the works employ allegorical and elegiac forms that invite multiple interpretations, while others draw from folklore, oral traditions and contemporary realities to create compelling conversations between the past and the present.
She further noted that the language of the collections is fluid, evocative and aesthetically refined, relying on vivid imagery, emotional depth and intellectual sophistication to communicate complex ideas and challenge established perspectives while giving voice to both individual and collective Eleven Poets Battle for $100,000 Nigeria Literature Prize Glory.
Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo disclosed that the next stage of the competition will involve a more detailed assessment of each work, with judges focusing on language, originality, structure, artistic merit and lasting literary value before selecting a shortlist of three titles in August.
She also commended the panel of judges for their dedication and professionalism throughout the assessment process, while reaffirming the Advisory Board’s commitment to maintaining a transparent, credible and merit-driven selection process that promotes literary excellence and encourages a stronger reading culture across Nigeria.
Sponsored by NLNG, The Nigeria Prize for Literature carries a cash award of $100,000 for the winning author. Now in its 22nd year, the prestigious prize rotates annually among prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature, with the 2026 edition devoted to poetry. The eventual winner will be announced in October after the shortlist is unveiled in August.
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