Ogaga Ifowodo Wins $100,000 Literature Prize for Poetry
Ogaga Ifowodo has been awarded The Nigeria Prize for Literature 2026, securing a $100,000 cash prize for his poetry collection, Why Does God Need a Gun?. This collection examines themes of religious and political violence in Nigeria.
The announcement was made during the Grand Award Night organized by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) in Lagos on October 9, 2026. Ifowodo's work was chosen from 223 entries.
Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Chairman of the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature, praised the collection for its sensitive portrayal of violence through the voice of an imagined victim. She noted that the shortlisted works addressed broader themes such as identity, belonging, and the impact of conflict.
Additionally, the inaugural Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts was awarded to Peter Oghenetega Oke and Feranmi Abiola, who received a $20,000 cash award for their documentaries.
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