In April this year, the Advisory Board of The Nigeria Prize for Literature, sponsored by the NLNG, announced record breaking entries for the 2025 edition.
A record 252 entries were received and the number not only surpassed the 2024 figure of 163 but also exceeded the 2021 Prose Fiction cycle, which saw 202 submissions.
No doubt, the 2025 record entries set a new level for the quality of entries, they also point to the fiercest competition in the Prize’s history that is about to be witnessed in this year’s Prose Fiction cycle.
While the development excited the Nigerian literary community, the NLNG is the most excited for many reasons.
“This year’s record entries reaffirm the prize’s impact, proving that Nigerian literature is not only thriving but also commanding greater international recognition,” Sophia Horsfall, general manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, NLNG, affirmed in her speech at the handover ceremony.
According to her, the high number of entries is due to “a surge in literary creativity, demonstrating a reinvigorated passion for creative works and a deepened global awareness of Nigerian literature.
However, credit goes to the gatekeepers of the prize, who from inception have kept faith with the prize’s unwavering commitment to literary excellence.
From selection to adjudication process and to the grand finale, they have (over the years) approached the process with the highest standards of integrity and objectivity, upholding the legacy of rigour and distinction that has become the hallmark of the prize.
The gatekeepers include: the Advisory Board members, panel of judges and the international consultants. Hence, there is a need to meet and celebrate the judges and Advisory Board members for the 2025 Prizes.
Meet the Advisory Board members:
Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo:
She is the chairperson of The 2025 Prizes Advisory Board.
Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo is a distinguished Nigerian academic, prolific author, and literary critic whose work has significantly shaped the landscape of African literature. A professor of English, she has taught at several institutions, including the University of Lagos, where she served for decades before retiring. She holds a Ph.D. in English and has authored over 80 publications, spanning genres such as novels, poetry, short stories, children’s literature, and scholarly essays. Her literary works reflect a deep commitment to gender issues, cultural heritage, and social justice, earning her both national and international acclaim.
A Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (FNAL) and the Literary Society of Nigeria (FLSN), Professor Ezeigbo is widely recognized for her immense contributions to literature and scholarship.
Emeritus Professor Olu Obafemi:
He is a member of rhe 2025 Prizes Advisory Board.
The emeritus professor is a distinguished Nigerian scholar, playwright, poet, and public intellectual whose contributions to literature and the humanities span over four decades. A celebrated academic and cultural advocate, Professor Obafemi holds the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) in the Humanities and is a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (FNAL). His academic career began at the University of Ilorin, where he rose to become a professor of English and Dramatic Literature, mentoring generations of students and scholars.
His works, known for their deep engagement with social justice, nationalism, and the human condition, have significantly shaped African literature and theatre.
A former president of the Nigerian Academy of Letters and a former chairman of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Professor Obafemi has consistently contributed to national policy development in culture and education.
Professor Ahmed Yerima:
He is a member of the Advisory Board. Professor Yerima is an acclaimed Nigerian playwright, theatre director, and academic with an illustrious career that spans decades in the literary and performing arts. A former director general of the National Theatre and ex-artistic director of the National Troupe of Nigeria, Yerima is widely celebrated for his contribution to the development of modern Nigerian drama and literature. He holds a Fellowship of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (FNAL) and is a Fellow of the Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists (FSONTA), recognitions that underscore his deep impact and distinguished scholarship in the arts.
With numerous award-winning plays to his name—including Hard Ground, which won the Nigeria Prize for Literature in 2006—Yerima brings a wealth of experience, critical insight, and cultural understanding to the Advisory Board.
The judges:
Saeedat Bola Aliyu: a PhD holder, is the chairperson of the judges of the 2025 Prizes.
She is a distinguished literary scholar and academic leader. She holds a Ph.D. in Literature in English from the University of Ilorin and specializes in environmental literary studies and cultural criticism. Aliyu is a faculty member in the Department of English and Linguistics at Kwara State University (KWASU), where she also serves as the acting director of University Relations and the Centre for Language Immersion and Translation.
Her scholarly work explores the intersection of literature, environmental justice, and cultural identity, with notable research on literary representation of figures like Ken Saro-Wiwa and the use of oral traditions in African environmentalism.
Professor Mbanefo Stephen Ogene:
He is a member of the judges for the 2025 Prizes.
Professor Ogene is a distinguished academic and literary scholar serving as a Professor of Comparative Literature at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, Nigeria. A native of Ogidi in Anambra State, he holds a PhD in Literary Studies and has earned a reputation for his contributions to African literature, creative writing, and literary criticism. His scholarly works include the widely referenced Literary Appreciation: Theory and Practice, as well as The Divorce of Idemili and Other Poems and The Legacies of Zik, which reflect his deep engagement with cultural and political themes in Nigerian literature.
In addition to his academic achievements, Professor Ogene has held several leadership roles within and beyond the university. He completed his tenure as the HOD English, NAU Akwa last year 2024. He presently serves as the chairman of the Students Disciplinary Committee of NAU, Akwa.
His commitment to mentorship is evident in his supervision of numerous undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students.
Olakunle Kasumu:
He is a member of the judges of the 2025 Prizes.
Olakunle Kasumu is a distinguished Nigerian literary journalist, publisher, and media entrepreneur renowned for his significant contributions to the country’s literary and cultural landscape. As the presenter and co-producer of Channels Book Club, Nigeria’s premier television programme dedicated to books and authors, Kasumu has played a pivotal role in promoting reading culture and providing a platform for literary discourse. His work has connected writers, publishers, and readers, fostering a deeper appreciation for literature across Nigeria.
In addition to his media endeavors, Kasumu is the founder of Storyteller Services, a writing and publishing firm that collaborates with individuals and organisations to document their narratives. His expertise in storytelling and publishing has established him as one of Nigeria’s most prolific writers.
Consultant
Grace A. Musila, a PhD holder, is the International Consultant for the 2025 Prizes.
Musila is a distinguished scholar in African literature, currently serving as an associate professor in the English Department at Stellenbosch University. She earned her Ph.D. in African Literature from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Musila’s research encompasses gender studies, Eastern and Southern African literatures, African popular culture, and postcolonial studies. Her notable publications include: A Death Retold in Truth and Rumour: Kenya, Britain and the Julie Ward Murder, which examines the narratives surrounding the 1988 murder of British tourist Julie Ann Ward in Kenya, and Wangari Maathai’s Registers of Freedom, exploring the life and work of the Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel Laureate.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Musila has contributed to various scholarly initiatives, such as co-editing Rethinking Eastern African Intellectual Landscapes and participating in lecture series like “African Feminism Past and Present.” Her extensive experience and expertise in African literary studies make her a valuable asset as the International Consultant for the 2025 Nigeria Prize for Literature, where she will provide strategic guidance and support to the adjudication process.
