The Advisory Board of the Nigeria Prize for Literature has unveiled the longlist of 11 remarkable prose fiction titles contending for the 2025 edition of the highly coveted $100,000 prize. The announcement was made on Wednesday in Lagos, marking the beginning of what is expected to be a fiercely contested literary journey toward the final award ceremony in October.
Sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), the prize is regarded as Africa’s most prestigious literary award and rotates annually across four genres—prose fiction, poetry, drama, and children’s literature. The 2025 edition focuses on prose fiction, and this year’s longlist was drawn from a total of 252 entries submitted by authors across Nigeria and beyond.
The longlist, arranged in alphabetical order of book titles, includes:
- “An Unusual Grief”by Yewande Omotoso
- “Fine Dreams” by Linda Masi
- “Leave My Bones in Saskatoon” by Michael Afenfia
- “New York, My Village” by Uwem Akpan
- “Petrichor: The Scent of a New Beginning” by Ayo Oyeku
- “Sanya” by Oyin Olugbile
- “The Middle Daughter” by Chika Unigwe
- “The Road to the Country” by Chigozie Obioma
- “This Motherless Land” by Nikki May
- “Water Baby” by Chioma Okereke
- “When We Were Fireflies”by Abubakar Adam Ibrahim
Chairman of the Advisory Board, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, expressed excitement at the quality and emotional power of the selected titles, describing the longlist as a celebration of literary excellence. She noted that the stories span a wide range of themes, styles, and cultural perspectives, offering readers deep insight into the complexities of human experience.
“In sifting through the 252 submissions, the judges have not only selected 11 books, they have unveiled narratives that embody the standards of literary excellence. These books are windows into diverse worlds, each brimming with depth, emotion, and craftsmanship,” Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo said.
She added that as the prize progresses from the longlist to the shortlist and then to the final winner, the literary community and readers alike should expect an emotionally resonant journey through stories that showcase imagination, quality, and relevance.
Highlighting the role of storytelling in shaping culture and future generations, she emphasized the enduring importance of literature in Nigerian society. “The 2025 edition will surely be a celebration of the power of storytelling at its finest,” she said.
The winner of the $100,000 prize will be announced at a grand ball in October, coinciding with the commemoration of NLNG’s first LNG shipment in October 1999. The Nigeria Prize for Literature continues to uphold its reputation for elevating Nigerian writing to the global stage while promoting a strong reading culture across the country.
