Seasoned poets Tanure Ojaide and Ogaga Ifowodo are among the 11 contestants whose works have been longlisted for the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Literature.
They are in competition with others that include younger Saddiq Dzukogi and Malik Gbolahan.
The founder and sponsor of the prize, NLNG, made the announcement on Friday, with the Advisory Board for the Prize Chairman, Professor Akachi Ezeigbo, saying the collections exude brilliant qualities.
The longlisted titles, arranged alphabetically, are:
1. Adult Love by Tanure Ojaide
2. Bakandimiya by Saddiq Dzukogi
3. Black Passport by Paul Akpomuje
4. 2000 Blacks by Ajibola Tolase
5. Ceremony of The Nameless by Theresa Lola
6. Corpus: Animistic Verses by Ayo Oyeku
7. Flora’s Love Colony by Tares Oburumu
8. The Origin of Wounds by Malik Gbolahan
9. The Years of Blood by Adedayo Agarau
10. Unbind me Now by James Ugwu Eze and
11. Why Does God Need a Gun by Ogaga Ifowodo.
Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo described the announcement as an important milestone in the 2026 edition of arguably Africa’s biggest and most prestigious literary prize.
She noted that the collections demonstrate poetry’s remarkable capacity to illuminate human experience through thoughtful reflection, cultural memory and artistic expression.
Prof Adimora-Ezeigbo added that the works revisit history, interrogate dominant historical narratives, and expose the forces that shape collective identities and social relations. She stated that despite their varied emphases, the books share a commitment to exploring the endurance of individuals and communities in the face of violence, oppression, and social fragmentation.
Commenting on style and language, Prof. Adimora-Ezeigbo said the books display an impressive diversity of poetic techniques, characterised by lyrical intensity, symbolic depth, and artistic innovation.
“Many employ densely poetic, allegorical, and elegiac modes that invite multiple layers of interpretation, while others draw extensively on folklore, oral traditions, and contemporary realities to create a compelling fusion of past and present. Their language is generally fluid, evocative, and aesthetically refined, relying on vivid imagery, emotional resonance, and intellectual sophistication to convey complex ideas. These works demonstrate how poetic language can illuminate social realities, challenge established perspectives, and give voice to both individual and collective experiences.”
“The next stage will require a closer reading of each work, with attention to language, form, originality and lasting literary value,” she stated.
She also commended the judges for their work and reaffirmed the Advisory Board’s commitment to a credible process, literary excellence, and a strong reading culture.
