The NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature, now in its 22nd year, has announced its three finalists: James Ngwu Eze, Tares Oburumu, and Ogaga Ifowodo. Their poetry collections, "Unbind Me Now", "Flora's Love Colony", and "Why Does God Need a Gun?", respectively, were selected from a pool of 223 entries. The winner, to be announced in October, will receive a prize of $100,000. The Nigeria Prize for Literature, established by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) in 2004, rotates among four genres and is currently focused on poetry.
James Ngwu Eze's poetry collection, "Unbind Me Now", is a response to Nigeria's social and political realities. Eze's work was influenced by significant events such as the Lekki Toll Gate experience, violence, and insecurity. He believes that poetry allows him to express intense emotions with precision. Eze's emergence as a finalist was unexpected, and he attributes it to "an act of God". He advises young poets to read widely and prepare seriously.
Tares Oburumu's "Flora's Love Colony" explores Nigeria's colonial history and its ongoing impact. Oburumu's curiosity about Flora Shaw, the wife of Lord Lugard, led him to research the origins of the name "Nigeria" and the country's amalgamation. His collection examines post-colonialism and its effects on Nigeria. Oburumu has been writing since 2010 and has won previous poetry and essay prizes. His childhood experiences, including limited access to books and education, have shaped his outlook.
Ogaga Ifowodo's "Why Does God Need a Gun?" questions the relationship between religion, violence, and humanity's desire to defend God. The collection explores religious intolerance, fundamentalism, and fanaticism. Ifowodo's work represents victims of terrorism and kidnapping, including the Chibok and Dapchi tragedies. Being a finalist validates his work, but he does not consider winning a prize the ultimate judgment on a book.
The three finalists have been engaging in interviews to share their creative journeys, inspirations, and experiences. These interviews followed the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Literature Book Party, organized by the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA) in partnership with NLNG. The event celebrated the 11 longlisted poetry books, with excerpts performed by young poets.
The Nigeria Prize for Literature has a prestigious Advisory Board, chaired by Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo. The prize has been instrumental in promoting Nigerian literature, with Eze crediting NLNG for making poetry more visible and attractive. The prize rotates among four genres – prose fiction, poetry, drama, and children's literature – in a four-year cycle.
The three finalists have different plans if they win the $100,000 prize. Eze is already working on another book and considering other genres. Oburumu plans to finish his project of building a library for a primary school in his hometown. Ifowodo intends to establish a poetry prize at Federal Government College, Warri, where he wrote his first poem in 1982.
Key points
- The three finalists for the 2026 NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature are James Ngwu Eze, Tares Oburumu, and Ogaga Ifowodo.
- The winner of the prize will be announced in October and will receive $100,000.
- The Nigeria Prize for Literature, established in 2004, celebrates excellence in Nigerian literature and rotates among four genres.
