The Rainbow Book Club, in partnership with The Nigeria Prize for Literature sponsored by NLNG, on Sunday hosted a virtual Bookfest to celebrate the three authors shortlisted for the 2025 edition of the Prize.
The shortlisted novels are Sanya by Oyin Olugbile, The Road to the Country by Chigozie Obioma and This Motherless Land by Nikki May.
General manager, external relations and sustainable development at NLNG, Sophia Horsfall, congratulated the authors and hailed their works as “the finest from a record 252 entries.”
“At NLNG, we are proud that The Nigeria Prize for Literature continues to inspire excellence and spotlight Nigerian voices that speak to both local realities and universal human experiences,” she said.
“Literature is more than art, it is a mirror that reflects who we are as a people and a compass that points us toward progress. Through this Prize, we reaffirm our commitment to preserving our cultural heritage while encouraging new generations of writers to dream, innovate, and inspire.”
Founder and chief executive officer of the Rainbow Book Club, Koko Kolango, also praised the collaboration with NLNG, noting that initiatives like the Bookfest bridge the gap between writers and readers.
She said the award has inspired writers at home and abroad, adding that “the business of reading and writing requires a collective effort to thrive.”
This year’s edition spotlights prose fiction, with the winning entry expected to be announced in October 2025.
The Bookfest featured readings and an engaging session with the authors.
Now in its 21st year, The Nigeria Prize for Literature continues its tradition of rotating among four genres: prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature.
