The 2025 Nigeria Prize for Literature, sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), will feature a virtual Bookfest to celebrate its three shortlisted authors ahead of the award ceremony.
The finalists—Oyin Olugbile (Sanya), Chigozie Obioma (The Road to the Country), and Nikki May (This Motherless Land)—will participate in the interactive online session, where they are expected to discuss their creative journeys, inspirations, and the impact of their works.
“Meet the shortlisted authors for the 2025 Prize, dive into their stories, and celebrate the magic of literature all from your screen! Don’t miss out on this chance to learn, connect, and be inspired,” the NLNG Prizes team said in its announcement.
This year’s competition broke records with 252 submissions, surpassing the previous high of 202 entries in 2021. From the entries, 11 works were longlisted before being pruned down to the final three. According to Prof. Saeedat Aliyu, chair of the judging panel, the shortlisted novels “reflect the depth and diversity of contemporary Nigerian fiction.”
The Bookfest will take place on Sunday, September 21, at 5:00 p.m. via Zoom, while the winner of the $100,000 prize will be announced on October 10 at the official award ceremony.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
