Nigerian poet James Eze has been shortlisted for the 2026 Nigerian Prize for Literature for his poetry collection "Unbind Me Now". Eze expressed mixed emotions of relief, disbelief, and a sense of validation upon hearing the news. His book was one of 223 entries shortlisted among the top three best poetry collections in Nigeria for 2026. Eze's work explores themes of hope, redemption, and the role of the poet as a voice for the people.
Eze's poetry collection "Unbind Me Now" was finished in December 2025 and has been praised by judges for its "fluid and aesthetically captivating language" and its movement from dysfunction towards redemption. The book is a culmination of Eze's experiences and observations of the world around him, woven together with hope and a desire for change. Eze's use of language has been compared to that of Toni Morrison, who once said that "we do language, and that may be the measure of our lives".
Eze's shortlisting for the Nigerian Prize for Literature is not his first recognition; his previous work "Dispossessed" was longlisted for the same prize in 2022. Eze sees this shortlisting as a validation of his work and a recognition of the importance of his poetry in addressing the dominant anxieties of his society. He is grateful to the Nigerian LNG Foundation (NLNG) for providing him with this historic chance to showcase his work.
Eze's poetry collection "Unbind Me Now" explores themes of hope, redemption, and the role of the poet as a voice for the people. The book is a wake-up call, not a call to arms, and demands immediate relief for a long-suppressed people. Eze's use of fire as a metaphor for revelation, rebuke, and method is a dominant theme throughout the collection. He sees the poet as a witness to a traumatic period, not a propagandist.
Eze's work is influenced by his experiences growing up in the South-East of Nigeria, where he witnessed firsthand the effects of violence and unrest. His poetry is a reflection of the world around him, and he sees himself as a voice for the voiceless. Eze's use of language is both incantatory and accessible, and he is conscious of the need to balance his emotions with a desire to create art that is not consumed by anger.
Eze's book "Unbind Me Now" was released quietly on Good Friday, a date that holds significance for him. He sees the book as a watershed that speaks unwaveringly to the dominant issues of Nigeria in his time. Eze hopes that the book will be remembered as a work that had a lasting impact on the literary landscape of Nigeria. He is one of three poets shortlisted for the prize, alongside Ifowodo and Oburumu.
The shortlisting for the Nigerian Prize for Literature is a significant recognition of Eze's work and the growth of Nigerian poetry. Eze sees this as a testament to the diversity and richness of Nigerian poetry, and he is honored to be part of a community of poets who are addressing the dominant anxieties of their society. The winner of the prize will be announced at a later date.
Key points
- James Eze's poetry collection "Unbind Me Now" explores themes of hope, redemption, and the role of the poet as a voice for the people.
- Eze's use of language is both incantatory and accessible, and he is conscious of the need to balance his emotions with a desire to create art that is not consumed by anger.
- The shortlisting for the Nigerian Prize for Literature is a significant recognition of Eze's work and the growth of Nigerian poetry.
