NLNG’s literary contest enters adjudication stage

The 2026 edition of NLNG’s Nigeria Prize for Literature has entered the adjudication stage following the formal handover of 223 entries to the Advisory Board and panel of judges in Lagos.

The entries, received by NLNG, were presented on Monday, marking the commencement of the selection process for this year’s prize, which focuses on poetry.

Speaking at a press conference, the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, Dr Sophia Horsfall, represented by the Manager of Government Relations, Abdul Umar, described the handover as the beginning of a rigorous evaluation process.

“This marks the start of a process that demands attention, patience, and sound judgement and will ultimately determine the work that defines this year’s prize,” she said.

The organisers noted that the 223 submissions reflect sustained participation in the poetry category, remaining competitive compared with recent cycles.

The $100,000 prize, regarded as one of Africa’s major literary honours, will be awarded to the winning poetry entry after months of review. Horsfall said the genre demands precision and depth, adding that expectations had been shaped by previous editions.

“At NLNG, we have consistently provided a platform that supports excellence and inspires a sustainable future. Beyond recognising talent, the Prize has contributed to the growth of reading culture, encouraged discipline in writing, and strengthened Nigeria’s literary landscape,” she added.

She stated that the adjudication process would involve detailed reading and evaluation, culminating in a longlist of eleven entries, a shortlist of three, and the eventual selection of a winner.

The entries were presented to the Advisory Board, chaired by Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, who handed them over to the panel of judges for assessment.

Receiving the submissions, Adimora-Ezeigbo commended the sponsors for sustaining the prize and urged the judges to uphold professionalism in selecting the winning entry.

The Nigeria Prize for Literature, sponsored annually by NLNG, recognises literary excellence across rotating genres and is considered one of the continent’s most prestigious literary awards.