Manny Ita –
Entries have officially opened for the 2026 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Literature, widely regarded as Africa’s most prestigious literary award, with organisers calling on Nigerian writers at home and in the diaspora to submit their published works in the poetry category for a chance to win the grand prize of $100,000.
The prize, sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), rotates annually among four literary genres—prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature—and the 2026 edition has been designated for poetry. The organisers said submissions will remain open until March 31, 2026.
In a statement announcing the commencement of entries, NLNG said the prize remains committed to celebrating literary excellence and promoting Nigerian literature on the global stage. The company noted that the award continues to attract strong interest from writers both within Nigeria and across the diaspora.
According to the organisers, only published works by Nigerian authors will be considered for the competition, and submissions must comply with the established guidelines set out by the advisory board. The statement added that the award aims to recognise authors whose works demonstrate exceptional creativity, originality and contribution to the literary landscape.
A representative of the organisers said the competition continues to play an important role in supporting the country’s literary community. “The Nigeria Prize for Literature has remained a platform for recognising outstanding Nigerian writers and encouraging the development of world-class literary works,” the official said.
The organisers further encouraged eligible writers to take advantage of the opportunity before the submission deadline. “We urge Nigerian poets everywhere to submit their works and be part of this prestigious literary tradition that celebrates the richness of our storytelling and artistic expression,” the statement said.
Since its establishment, the Nigeria Prize for Literature has gained international recognition for its substantial prize value and rigorous selection process, with the $100,000 reward ranking among the largest monetary prizes for literature on the African continent.
With the submission window now open, poets across Nigeria and beyond are expected to begin submitting their entries as the competition moves toward another highly anticipated edition of one of the continent’s most respected literary honours.
