At the 2025 CORA-NPL Book Party, some of the longlisted authors promise to help fellow writers if they win the $100,000 at stake, AKEEM LASISI writes
For many years, other writers have watched winners of the Nigeria Prize for Literature smile all the way to the bank with $100,000. No matter how much they salivated, the winner took and seemed to solely enjoy all the largesse from NLNG, founder and sponsor of the durable literary award. But, from this year, although the company is not changing the reward pattern, the story may change significantly based on what is on the minds of some of the 11 novelists now longlisted. According to them, they will support fellow writers should they eventually win.
This is one of the points they stressed on Sunday August 3, 2025 when the annual CORA-Nigeria Prize for Literature Book Party held in Lagos. At the event that attracted many creatives and other stakeholders/enthusiasts to the Continental Hotel on Victoria Island, the nominees shared their stories as writers, while also speaking on the making of their entries. The longlist was selected from a total of 252 entries by a judging panel chaired by Professor Saeedat Bolajoko Aliyu of Kwara State University. Other members include Professor Stephen Mbanefo Ogene of Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Mr. Olakunle Kasumu, host of Channels Book Club.
Because the question of what the nominees would do with the money if they win was emphatically asked by the panel chief, Amarachukwu Chimeka, founder of Purple Shelves Literary Services, they never hid their intention to bless others from the ample money. Among those who were categorical about it is Ayo Oyeku, author of PETRICHOR, The Scent of a New Beginning. “I will extend the largesse to the writers’ community,” he said, adding, “Not all can win.” He, however, noted that he would share the large chunk of the money with his dad whom, he said, sacrificed his own talent to fend for their family.
Abubakar Adam Ibrahim is a past winner and he is on the march again, longlisted with his When we were Fireflies. He also gave the indication to help other writers if the trophy comes his way again. But there is something else he would derive from winning again. According to him, it would reassure his mum that he was not in a vain adventure as a writer. Meanwhile, CORA’s co-founder, Toyin Akinosho, cleared the air at the programme that nothing in the NPL’s rules forbids a past winner from re-contesting, with Chika Unigwe also being in the category with her book, The Middle Daughter. She tickled the audience with the intrigue she had to face when she must be fair to a character she does not like in the work.
For author of Fine Dreams, Linda N. Masi, an NGO is in the horizon as far as how she will spend the money is concerned. “The prize is a very good thing. It is huge, the biggest in Africa. It will boosts the winner’s career. I will establish an NGO. If I win. It will help my career, my passion,” she stated.
On her part, Oyin Olugbile, who is in the race with Sanya, said she would support other writers to get published — first time African writers, she noted.
While some of the other nominees expressed similar thoughts, Nikky May, author of The Motherless Land, never hid her philosophy of the physician who must first heal themselves. She wants to reward her body first as she said she would go shopping, buy herself nice articles especially dresses, just as she vowed she would do ‘shakara’.
Some of the other nominees like Yewande Omotoso (An Unusual Grief), Chioma Okereke (Water Baby) — who embraced the validation the nomination represents and described the session as an incredible party and incredible party — and Chika Unigwe, however, said being in the competition and getting longlisted were beyond monetary rewards. This is as Omotosho declared that writing, to her, was not a must-always-do. She conceded, “I write when I must.”
One could juxtapose her story with that of Michael Afenfa (Leave my Bones in Sakatoon), who told the gathering: “I have been writing for many years. I’m working on ninth book. Winning this award will convince me I can follow my passion.”
Author of New York, My Village, Uwem Akpan, expanded the perspective even as he profusely thanked NLNG, saying, “I want to use this chance to thank the NLNG corporation I’m very grateful, we are very grateful, that each year you gather us to celebrate our dreams and our work. We are very grateful. You may not know what this means to the literary community in Nigeria. Most of the people who speak up may criticise you that you’re not doing enough, but the silent majority of us, knowing what is at stake, we are very grateful. It’s not rich people who help others; it’s generous people who help others. Hence the parable of the widow’s mite.
“How would this prize help me?” he asked rhetorically. “Just being on this longlist, I’m very happy. I’ve got to meet, for the first time, people I have never met before. I don’t know what more to say. This publicity is good for me, which means if I were to win, it will be more publicity. I leave that in the hands of the judges. I just can’t thank NLNG enough.”
The inspirations behind the shortlisted works vary from the political to cultural, socioeconomic and personal, as their creators revealed at the event. Interestingly, at least two of the novels on the list are again taking readers back to the immortal Biafran question. One of them, New York, my Village by Akpan, tells the story from what the author says is from the minorities’ perspective. On the other hand, Chogozie Obioma said he observed that the Biafran novels he had read were not war fiction. So, he chose to fill the void by writing The Road to the Country.
“I do the dirty job of African literature. I wanted to write about Biafra because I lost relatives during the war. I Felt it was necessary to document some of the battles. Biafra deserves to have its own war fiction,” he said.
In her remarks at the event spiced with a pulsating performance by Uche Obi and his troupe, and inspiring readings from the novels — by star actors that include Bimbo Manuels and Edmond Enaibe — Sophia Horsfall, NLNG’s General Manager for External Relations and Sustainable Development, described the NLNG/CORA Book Party as a standout among the activities leading to the announcement of the winner in October.
She said, “The NLNG/CORA Book Party is a unique celebration, one that draws authors, journalists, and lovers of literature together in a way that brings excitement and visibility to Nigerian writing. This Book Party is a testament to NLNG’s enduring belief in Nigeria’s creative future. While we produce energy to power homes, we also believe that stories power hope. In the past 20 years, the literature prize has ignited dreams, sharpened critical thinking, and inspired a new generation of Nigerian writers now stepping onto the global literary stage. The Nigeria Prize for Literature continues to give visibility, validation, and encouragement to stories that might otherwise go unheard, reminding the world that Nigeria has voices that matter.”
Also, on why NLNG has continued to keep the prize alive, Anne-Marrie Palmer-Ikuku, Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs of the orgnaisation, said it believed in total development for the country and continent.
She said, “We invest in literature because we believe development is not complete without imagination to envision the future. We require curious minds and courageous story tellers to shape these ideals.”
She then thanked CORA for having been a partner in progress for 16 years.
Akinosho, who is CORA-Secretary General, underscored the critical role of public literary platforms in fostering deeper engagement between writers and their audiences. He emphasised the need for spaces where writers and readers could engage in meaningful dialogue, exchange ideas, and explore the inspirations behind the writing, which according to him are crucial to sustaining a dynamic literary culture.
CORA’s Chairman, Chief Kayode Aderinokun, saluted everyone for always making the Book Party a great deal. He particularly commended NLNG for consistently powering the idea.
“We could not have a better partner than NLNG. One thing is to have a noble idea; it’s another to have the wherewithal to prosecute it. If you don’t have the wherewithal, the idea will die,” Aderinokun a businessman and author of Inferno in the Rain, a collection of poems, enthused.
Other stakeholders that included Professor Segun Ojewuyi and acclaimed comedian, Ali Baba, gave words of inspiration. While Ojewuyi challenged other corporate organisations to invest in the arts and culture as NLNG does, Ali Baba hammered on the need to strengthen English Language teaching in schools. Part of his concern is that one needs proficiency in the language to be able to consume and enjoy the good works being produced and celebrated.
Others who spoke at the party included Gbemi Shasore, Executive Publisher, Kuramo Publishing Limited; writer and a former presidential aide, Tolu Ogunlesi; and founder of the Poets in Nigeria, Eriata Oribhabor.
