Nigerian poet Ogaga Ifowodo has emerged as the winner of the 2026 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Literature, a prestigious literary honour. His winning poetry collection, 'Why Does God Need a Gun?', was selected from 223 entries. The award, which carries a $100,000 prize, was announced at NLNG's Grand Award Night in Lagos State. Ifowodo's collection offers a sensitive portrayal of religious and political violence in Nigeria.
The Nigeria Prize for Literature is one of Africa's most esteemed literary awards, recognising outstanding works by Nigerian writers. In addition to Ifowodo's win, Peter Oghenetega Oke and Feranmi Abiola were declared joint winners of the inaugural Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts. Their documentaries, 'Beyond Tarkwa Bay' and 'Mara Mania', were chosen from 98 submissions and share a $20,000 award. The creative arts prize aims to celebrate originality and excellence in artistic expression.
Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Chairman of the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature, praised Ifowodo's winning collection for its portrayal of violence through the voice of an imagined victim. She also commended the three shortlisted collections for their technical skill and mature use of language, noting that they explored themes extending beyond Nigeria's borders. The collections addressed questions of identity, nationhood, extremism, and conflict.
The Technical Adviser to the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, Joel Kachi Benson, highlighted the power of film to challenge perceptions and deepen understanding of society. He noted that the shortlisted documentaries demonstrated the ability to document communities, preserve cultural memory, and present overlooked experiences. The documentaries celebrated resilience, documented culture, and revealed perspectives that enrich our understanding of society.
The Nigeria Prizes were established to recognise exceptional achievements and encourage innovation and literary excellence. NLNG Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Adeleye Falade, stated that the prizes aimed to promote excellence in science, literature, and the creative arts. He noted that the science and innovation prize had recognised groundbreaking work across various sectors, including health, agriculture, and technology.
Falade also highlighted the impact of the literature prize, which had grown into a major platform for Nigerian writers to engage international audiences. He described the creative arts prize as another avenue for celebrating artists who preserve Nigeria's heritage while reinterpreting it for younger generations. The awards form part of NLNG's efforts to promote excellence and encourage innovations capable of contributing to Nigeria's development.
Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka emphasised the importance of imagination as a common thread linking literature, the creative arts, and science. He argued that imagination was essential in both the humanities and sciences, urging practitioners to combine their strengths in the service of humanity. The awards ceremony celebrated the achievements of the winners and finalists, inspiring emerging scientists, writers, and creatives to develop ideas that would address future challenges.
Key points
- Ogaga Ifowodo wins $100,000 Nigeria Prize for Literature with poetry collection 'Why Does God Need a Gun?'.
- Peter Oghenetega Oke and Feranmi Abiola emerge as joint winners of the inaugural Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts.
- The Nigeria Prizes aim to promote excellence in science, literature, and the creative arts, encouraging innovations and cultural expressions that contribute to Nigeria's development.
