The Prize has elevated the standards of book production in Nigeria, encouraging publishers to prioritise quality editing and design.
The Nigeria Prize for Literature, sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), continues to set the benchmark for literary excellence in Africa. The 2025 incarnation, dedicated to prose fiction, has shattered records with an unprecedented 252 entries, marking a significant milestone in the Prize’s history.
With a cash award of US$100,000, the prize remains one of the most prestigious literary accolades in Africa and among the richest globally. This year’s competition promises to be the fiercest yet, reflecting the growing global recognition of Nigerian literature.
Record-Breaking Submissions
The 2025 edition has seen a dramatic increase in entries, surpassing the 2024 figure of 163 and the 2021 Prose Fiction cycle’s 202 submissions. According to NLNG’s General Manager for External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, this record turnout highlights the transformative power of storytelling in shaping perspectives, preserving cultural heritage, and inspiring future generations.
A Rigorous Adjudication Process
The handover ceremony, held in Lagos, officially marked the start of the adjudication process. The entries were presented to the Prize’s Advisory Board, chaired by literary icon and past winner Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, and subsequently handed over to the panel of judges. The judging panel, led by Professor Saeedat Bolajoko Aliyu of Kwara State University, includes distinguished academics and literary professionals such as Professor Stephen Mbanefo Ogene, Mr Olakunle Kasumu, and Dr Grace Musila, who serves as the International Consultant.
A longlist of 11, will be whittled to a shortlist of three, and finally, the winner will be announced in October 2025. The Advisory Board has emphasised the importance of maintaining the highest standards of integrity and objectivity throughout the process.
Impact on Nigerian Publishing
As noted by Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo, the Prize has elevated the standards of book production in Nigeria, encouraging publishers to prioritise quality editing and design. Writers, too, are approaching their craft with greater care, motivated by the opportunity to compete for this prestigious award.
The Literary Criticism Prize
In addition to the main Literature Prize, the Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism has received 37 entries this year. Valued at a not to be sneezed at US$10,000, this Prize complements the Literature Prize by promoting critical discourse and advancing the quality of literary analysis in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Vanguard has more on this story.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
