Nigerian poet James Eze's latest book, Unbind Me Now, has been making waves in the literary scene. Finished in December 2025, the book has been shortlisted for the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Literature, a prestigious $100,000 award for poetry. Eze was named "The People's Poet" at a university reading two months prior, where he was recognized for his earlier work. The new manuscript, which includes the central poem "Voice of the Streets," has garnered significant attention.
Eze's writing style is characterized by his ability to balance feeling and restraint. He aims to convey the human experience through language that carries both life and death. In his book, he tackles themes of social injustice, politics, and the struggles of everyday Nigerians. One of the key poems, "the title poem," features the speaker sitting "on the tongue of the inferno" as "a human shield." This posture is reflective of Eze's view of the poet's role as standing between the people and "obstinate fate."
The poet's work is deeply rooted in his experiences and observations of Nigeria. He draws inspiration from various sources, including his surroundings and historical events. Eze's book includes poems on significant events such as George Floyd's death, the Lekki Tollgate incident, and the COVID-19 pandemic. These poems were written as the events unfolded and later found their place in a larger "tapestry of anguish." His writing is a form of witness, recording "the human condition and historical truths."
Eze's craft has been shaped by his diverse professional background. He has worked as a features writer, literary editor, banker, corporate communications specialist, and speechwriter. These experiences have taught him discipline, precision, and the weight of words. His writing style has been described as incantatory and accessible. Eze accepts the tag of "prophet, priest, and pilgrim," given to him by critics, and also the title "the people's poet," bestowed upon him by a university faculty.
Eze's influences are rooted in Nigerian literature. He cites Okigbo as a significant companion and Okara as an igniting force. In 2015, Eze co-founded the Return to Idoto festival in Ojoto, which celebrates Okigbo's legacy. He treats influence as something that hunts you if you try to steal it. Eze believes that a poem is never finished and that someone after him may pick up the thread. His work continues the legacy of great Nigerian poets.
Eze's view of hope is not a slogan, but a tangible reality. He finds hope in everyday Nigerians who continue to strive despite the challenges they face. It is a woman walking her daughter to school through flooded Awka, a Benue farmer who still lifts a hoe, or a survivor in the Middle Belt who has "mustered enough self-reinvention to find sleep at night." Eze's message is one of resilience and the power of the people.
If Eze wins the NLNG prize, his universe will be "totally reconfigured." He has already started working on his next book. Even if he loses, Eze remains committed to his craft, believing that his work will endure. He has asked God for victory and does not contemplate the possibility of not winning. Eze's determination to continue speaking for the voiceless is unwavering, and his work will continue to be a testament to the power of language and poetry.
Key points
- James Eze's book, Unbind Me Now, has been shortlisted for the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Literature, a $100,000 award for poetry.
- Eze's writing style balances feeling and restraint, conveying the human experience through language that carries both life and death.
- Eze's work is deeply rooted in his experiences and observations of Nigeria, tackling themes of social injustice, politics, and everyday struggles.
