The 2025 edition of the prestigious Nigeria Prize for Literature, sponsored by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, has drawn an unprecedented 252 entries from novelists across the country—making it the most competitive in the history of the prize.
According to The PUNCH, the entries were officially handed over to the Advisory Board of the Prize, chaired by renowned author and scholar, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo. The presentation was made by NLNG’s Manager of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, who stood in for Sophia Horsfall, the General Manager for External Relations and Sustainable Development.
“This surge in submissions reflects a remarkable resurgence in Nigeria’s literary creativity,” Palmer-Ikuku stated. “It shows that Nigerian writers are not only telling more compelling stories but also gaining recognition on a global scale.”
She added, “Today’s ceremony marks a celebration of imagination and excellence. The number of entries we received speaks volumes about the vibrancy of the Nigerian literary space.”
According to the organizers, this year’s figure surpasses both the 2024 tally of 163 entries and the previous Prose Fiction cycle in 2021, which recorded 202 submissions.
The entries have now been submitted to a panel of judges for evaluation, kicking off what many expect to be a rigorous selection process. NLNG also reaffirmed its commitment to promoting literature through its parallel Literary Criticism Prize.
“The volume of submissions we’ve received this year is a testament to the credibility and significance of this prize,” Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo remarked. “We look forward to engaging deeply with these works and discovering the next great voice in Nigerian literature.”
The $100,000 prize remains one of Africa’s richest literary awards and continues to inspire generations of writers to share their stories with the world.
