Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has begun the adjudication process for the 2026 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Literature after formally receiving 223 entries from writers across the country.
The handover took place in Lagos on Monday as the Advisory Board and panel of judges received the submissions for assessment.
The company said the entries show continued interest in the poetry category, which is the focus of this year’s edition. It noted that while the number is slightly lower than some peak years, it remains strong when compared with recent editions, reflecting sustained participation from writers.
Speaking at the event, the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, Dr Sophia Horsfall, represented by Abdul Umar, Manager, Government Relations, said the handover marks the start of a detailed evaluation process.
“This marks the start of a process that demands attention, patience, and sound judgement, and will ultimately determine the work that defines this year’s Prize,” she said.
Dr Horsfall described the $100,000 award as one of the most respected literary prizes in Africa. She said poetry as a category demands clarity and depth and added that expectations are guided by previous winning works, including the 2022 edition.
She also restated NLNG’s commitment to promoting literary excellence and supporting cultural development.
“At NLNG, we have consistently provided a platform that supports excellence and inspires a sustainable future. Beyond recognising talent, the Prize has contributed to the growth of reading culture, encouraged discipline in writing, and strengthened Nigeria’s literary landscape,” she added.
The Advisory Board, chaired by Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, received the entries before handing them over to the panel of judges for evaluation. She commended NLNG for sustaining the Prize and said each edition reflects the development of Nigerian writing across genres.
She also urged the judges to maintain professionalism and thoroughness as they begin months of reading and assessment that will produce a longlist of eleven entries, a shortlist of three, and a final winner.
The Nigeria Prize for Literature is one of the flagship awards sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited. It is part of a wider set of prizes, including the Nigeria Prize for Science, the Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism which has now been replaced by the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, and the Nigeria Prize for Energy Reporting.
In 2025, the prize in the prose category was awarded to Oyin Olugbile for her work Sanya.
