Three writers get closer to $100,000 as they are shortlisted for Nigerian Prize for Literature

Each of three Nigerian writers, Obari Gomba, Abideen Ojomu and Henry Akubuiro, is close to winning $100,000 with a single book.

The reason is that they have been shortlisted for the 2023 edition of the Nigeria Prize for Literature, founded and sponsored by Nigeria LNG.

The advisory board of the prize announced the three books – Grit by Gomba, The Ojuelegba Crossroads by Ojomu and Yamtarawala – The Warrior King by Akubuiro, all plays, after the jury’s decision.

Judges for the 2023 edition are Professor Ameh Dennis Akoh, a Drama and Critical Theory professor at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ebonyi State; Professor Osita Catherine Ezenwanebe and Dr Rasheedah Liman.

Chairperson of the board Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo made the announcement in a live broadcast across the prize’s social media channels on Tuesday.

Other members of the board Professor Olu Obafemi and Professor Ahmed Yerima were present at the announcement.

A total of 143 plays were entered for the competition, which focuses on drama.

Eleven books were longlisted in July ahead of the announcement of the final shortlist.

The Nigeria Prize for Literature carries a cash award of $100,000.

According to the board, the shortlisted plays stand tall in terms of dramatology, language, performance, story, and structure. It added that they represent the pinnacle of literary craftsmanship and the artistic convergence that The Nigeria Prize for Literature tirelessly seeks.