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Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has officially commenced the adjudication process for the 2026 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Literature after receiving a total of 223 submissions from writers across the country.
The entries were formally handed over during a ceremony held in Lagos, marking the beginning of a rigorous evaluation exercise that will determine the most outstanding work for this year’s award.
The handover event brought together members of the prize’s Advisory Board and the panel of judges, who will now begin months of careful reading and assessment.
According to NLNG, the number of entries submitted this year reflects steady interest in the competition, particularly in the poetry category, which is the focus of the 2026 edition.
Although the figure is slightly lower than some earlier peak years, it is still considered strong when compared with recent cycles, showing that Nigerian writers continue to actively engage with the prize.
Speaking at the ceremony, the General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, emphasized the importance of the process ahead.
She was represented by Abdul Umar, Manager of Government Relations. Horsfall described the adjudication stage as a demanding one that requires patience, fairness, and careful judgment.
She noted that the outcome of the process would ultimately determine the work that defines the literary prize for the year.
She also highlighted the prestige of the award, describing the $100,000 prize as one of the most respected literary recognitions on the African continent.
According to her, the poetry category places a high demand on creativity, clarity, and emotional depth, and the judges are expected to maintain standards that reflect previous winning works.
Dr. Horsfall further reaffirmed NLNG’s long-standing commitment to promoting literary excellence in Nigeria.
She explained that beyond rewarding writers, the initiative has helped encourage a stronger reading culture, improved writing discipline, and contributed significantly to the development of the country’s literary space.
She added that the prize remains part of NLNG’s broader effort to support education and cultural advancement.
The Advisory Board, chaired by Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, officially received the entries before passing them on to the judges.
Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo commended NLNG for consistently sustaining the prize over the years, noting that each edition provides insight into the growth and evolution of Nigerian literature across different genres.
She urged the panel of judges to remain diligent and professional as they begin their assessment. The evaluation process will eventually produce a longlist of eleven works, followed by a shortlist of three, before a final winner is selected.
The Nigeria Prize for Literature is one of NLNG’s flagship cultural initiatives. It is part of a wider set of awards that include the Nigeria Prize for Science, the Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism now replaced by the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts and the Nigeria Prize for Energy Reporting.
In the previous edition held in 2025, the prose category was won by Oyin Olugbile for her novel Sanya, further highlighting the prize’s role in recognizing and celebrating exceptional literary talent in Nigeria.
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