On August 3, 2025, there were excitement and engagements across the Nigerian literary community.
That day, book lovers, culture enthusiasts, literary stakeholders and the public gathered for this year’s edition of the annual CORA-NPL Book Party, an event that precedes the grand finale of the Nigeria Prize for Literature.
The evening gathering at Lagos Continental Hotel was in celebration of the 11 longlist titles for this year’s Nigeria Prize for Literature, with focus on prose fiction.
The book party, which also featured an exhibition of the 11 longlisted books, was organised by the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA), in conjunction with the NLNG, sponsors of the prize.
The 11 longlist included: Chioma Okereke’s, Water Baby; Chigoze Obioma’s,The Road to the Country; An Unusual Grief by Yewande Omotoso; and Leave my Bones In Saskatoon by Michael Afenfia.
Others are: Fine Dreams by Linda M. Masi; Ayo Oyeku’s Petrichor: The Scent of a New Beginning; Abubakar Adam Ibrahim’s When We Were Fireflies; The Middle Daughter by Chika Unigwe; Oyin Olugbile’s Sanya. Nikki May’s Motherless Land and New York, My Village by Uwem Akpan.
Though only two of the writers (Uwem Akpan and Ayo Oyeku) were present at the book party, others who joined virtually also lived up to the expectations of the high-profile guests.
The event featured reading of excerpts from the 11 books by notable creative personalities including Bimbo Manuel, Tunbosun Aiyedehin, and Edmond Enaibe.
But a much anticipated highlight was a chat with the two authors present, which was moderated by Amara Chiemeka, a publisher.
As expected, the moderator inspired the writers to shares insights of their journeys to the 11 longlist, hope of making the 5 shortlist, inspirations, and other related issues.
Akpan took the floor to shed light on the plights of minority tribes during the Nigerian Civil War and need for unity to fight for their rights in the multi-ethnic setup of Nigeria.
For him, Nigeria is beyond the Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba nationalities, hence need to duly recognize others.
The above is part of the themes captured in his new book.
On his part, Oyeku shared some personal insights with the audience, amid highlighting the cross the average Nigerian writers carries in order to get their books out there.
Other virtual participants also did the same, unraveling their passion for writing and the import of their books.
They unanimously called for efforts to ensure that Nigerian stories are told by Nigerian voices and heard around the world.
For them, that is one sure way of changing the narratives.
They also commended the NLNG for sponsoring the award for over two decades running and hugely empowering writers, boosting reading culture and growth of the literary industry.
As rightly pointed out earlier in his speech at the book party, Toyin Akinosho, secretary of CORA, noted that this year’s edition of the prize is perhaps the most fiercely competed, as the best of Nigerian authors were among the 11 longlisted writers.
“This year’s competition is perhaps the most fiercely contested NPL in the Prize’s 22 year history. The best writers in Nigeria’s literary firmament are included among this 11 star writers we are honouring this evening,” he said.
Of course, two past winners are in this year’s race: Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, who won the award nine years ago and Chika Unigwe, who won in 2012, is another returnee.
Yet, Ayo Oyeku is returning to the longlist for the second year in a row.
Akinosho further noted that the 11 writers were worth celebrating for braving the odds to write books that have been talking points since they were published from 2021 till date.
Sophia Horsfall, general manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development for NLNG, was also very excited at the quality of the books that made the 11 longlist.
“This Book Party is a testament to NLNG’s enduring belief in Nigeria’s creative future. While we produce energy to power homes, we also believe that stories power hope. In the past 25 years, the literature prize has ignited dreams, sharpened critical thinking, and inspired a new generation of Nigerian writers now stepping onto the global literary stage,” she said.
Horsfall noted further that the Nigeria Prize for Literature continues to give visibility, validation, and encouragement to stories that might otherwise go unheard, reminding the world that Nigeria has voices that matter.
“This year we received an impressive 252 entries in Prose for The Nigeria Prize for Literature. Today, the NLNG-CORA Book Party celebrates the 11 outstanding books on the long list, selected from these entries.
Let us take a moment to applaud the 11 longlisted authors whose powerful voices have brought us together this afternoon.
“In the weeks ahead, our panel of judges will refine this list to a shortlist of three. On October 10, we will crown the winning work of the year. Please mark the date and stay connected with us through this exciting journey. To our vibrant literary community, let us continue to champion these remarkable works. Share them widely, recommend them on every platform, and let the global community see that Nigerian literature is shaping the future of storytelling. To young and upcoming writers here tonight, I urge you to see yourselves as the next contenders for this prize. You are among mentors and peers who believe in the power of your voice. Ask questions, soak up the inspiration, and commit to crafting stories that will one day claim a place on this stage.”
In her vote of thanks, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, manager, Corporate Communication and Sustainable Development for NLNG, also commended the writers for making the list, while urging the public to further encourage them by buying and reading their books.
For her, the book party is making significant statements about Nigerian literature and the writers who were being celebrated for their concerted efforts and creativity, which have made their books to arrive at such a high pedestal.
The event hosted by Jahman Anikulapo, a culture advocate and COAR executive, also witnessed an inspiring remark by Kayode Aderinokun, chair of CORA Trustee, who expressed his excitement that the committee is living up to expectations, amid huge boost to the development of Nigeria’s literary industry.
With the successful book party, the literary community looks forward to the announcement of the shortlist and also October 10th, when the winner of The Nigeria Prize for Literature 2025 will be crowned.
