Nigeria Prize for Literature Reveals 2026 Poetry Longlist

The Nigeria Prize for Literature has unveiled the longlist for its 2026 edition, comprising 11 poetry collections selected from 223 entries. The announcement was made on Thursday by Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, the Chairman of the Advisory Board, who described the selection as a reflection of the outstanding quality, creativity, and diversity of contemporary Nigerian poetry.

The longlisted titles were arranged alphabetically, and Prof. Adimora-Ezeigbo noted that the collections demonstrate poetry's ability to illuminate human experiences through cultural memory and artistic expression. She highlighted the thematic exploration of resilience in the face of violence and oppression, as well as the diversity in style characterized by lyrical intensity and symbolic depth.

The next phase of the competition will involve a closer reading of each work, with a shortlist of three books expected in August and the winner to be announced in October. The prize, sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), carries a cash award for the winning author and is now in its 22nd year, rotating annually among four genres.