The 2026 Nigeria Prizes Grand Award Night was held at the Eko Hotel and Suites on Victoria Island, Lagos, drawing notable figures from Nigeria's literary, scientific, business, and creative communities. The ceremony, organised by Nigeria LNG Limited, celebrated outstanding achievements in literature, science, innovation, and the creative arts. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka were among the distinguished personalities in attendance.
The event featured several prominent figures, including NLNG's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Adeleye Falade, and the Chairman of the Nigeria Prize for Literature Advisory Board, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo. Soyinka spoke on the importance of imagination across different disciplines, highlighting its role in linking literature, the creative arts, and science. This emphasis on imagination was a key theme of the ceremony.
One of the major highlights of the night was the announcement of poet Ogaga Ifowodo as the winner of the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Literature for his collection, Why Does God Need a Gun? Ifowodo received the $100,000 prize after emerging from 223 entries submitted for the competition. The Nigeria Prize for Literature is one of the most prestigious literary awards in Nigeria, and Ifowodo's win was a significant recognition of his work.
The inaugural Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts also featured prominently at the ceremony, with filmmakers Peter Oke and Feranmi Abiola emerging as joint winners for their documentaries, Beyond Tarkwa Bay and Mara Mania, respectively. They shared the $20,000 prize, marking a new addition to the awards. The inclusion of the creative arts category expanded the scope of the ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, Falade emphasised the importance of recognising exceptional achievements and promoting innovation capable of contributing to national development. He highlighted the role of the awards in encouraging innovation and creativity, and the potential for the winners to make a positive impact on society. The ceremony aimed to promote intellectualism, scientific advancement, and creativity.
The evening also featured entertainment, including a performance by comedian Buchi and a presentation by Seki Dance Drama, a cultural production created by Yibo Koko. The ceremony concluded with a sense of celebration and appreciation for the winners and their achievements. The annual awards recognise outstanding Nigerian achievements while promoting intellectualism, scientific advancement, and creativity.
Key points
- The 2026 Nigeria Prizes Grand Award Night was held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, celebrating outstanding achievements in literature, science, innovation, and the creative arts.
- Poet Ogaga Ifowodo won the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Literature for his collection, Why Does God Need a Gun?, receiving a $100,000 prize.
- The ceremony promoted intellectualism, scientific advancement, and creativity, with a focus on recognising exceptional achievements and encouraging innovation.
