Oyin Olugbile has emerged as the winner of the 2025 NLNG-sponsored Nigeria Prize for Literature, the Advisory Board for the prize announced.
The Advisory Board for the prize, led by Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, announced Olugbile as the winner at a Grand Award ceremony held on Friday, October 10, 2025, at the Eko Hotels, Lagos.
Olugbile won the prestigious award for her book ‘Sanya.’ She got a $100,000 cash prize for the competition, which is regarded as Africa’s most prestigious literary award.
Olugbile topped two other competitors, Chigozie Obioma’s The Road to the Country and Nikki May’s This Motherless Land, to win the award.
The Nigeria Prize for Literature alternates between four genres: prose fiction, poetry, drama, and children’s literature. The “Inspire” topic for the 2025 edition emphasized prose stories.
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Earlier, the Advisory Board Chair, Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, described the finalists as ‘exceptional’ adding, “Each work distinguishes itself through masterful plotting, characterization, and a good command of language that transports readers into imagined worlds. These are not merely stories; they are carefully woven realities. They are compelling in their beauty, stirring in their emotional resonance, and unflinching in their engagement with familiar yet urgent societal issues. The way the writers handled and resolved conflict highlights their skill and literary standing, making these works quite outstanding.
“This cycle has been one of the most competitive yet, with every entry showing an impressive level of excellence that stretched our judgement to the limit. Still, we remain committed to excellence, honoring outstanding writings and keeping alive the vital conversation around Nigerian literature.”
Prof. Adimora Ezeigbo also applauded all the authors who submitted their works this year, noting, “It has been inspiring to witness such creativity and passion. On behalf of Emeritus Professor Olu Obafemi, Professor Ahmed Yerima, and myself, I can say it is a privilege to be part of something so meaningful and honorable.”
She also praised the judging panel for their uncompromising appraisal, which ensured that only the best pieces made the shortlist of three.
This 2025 panel of judges was chaired by Associate Professor Saeedat Bolajoko Aliyu of the Department of English, Kwara State University. Other members of the panel included Professor Stephen Mbanefo Ogene, Professor of Comparative Literature, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and Mr. Olakunle Kasumu, writer, filmmaker, producer, and host of Channels Television’s Book Club.
Also, the judges mentioned that “The shortlist represents the best of Nigerian prose writing, exploring culturally relevant themes and telling stories that are exciting, entertaining, and instructive.”
The judges described the winning entry, Sanya, as “a fascinating novel,” adding, “From the cover to the plot that grabs attention, the author is unrelenting at keeping the story pacey and intriguing.”
