A total of 11 books have been longlisted for the 2024 Nigeria Prize for Literature sponsored by the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG).
Chairperson of the advisory board for the prize Prof Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo and member of the board Prof Ahmed Yerima announced the longlist in a video uploaded on NLNG’s social media pages by Saturday.
This year’s prize focuses on children’s literature.
The 11 longlisted books were selected from 163 entries. They include A Father’s Pride by Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmor; Bode’s Birthday Party by Akanni Festus Olaniyi; Grandma and the Moon’s hidden secret by Jumoke Verissimo; Mighty Mite and Golden Jewel by Henry Akubuiro; and Risi Recycle – The Dustbin Girl by Temiloluwa Adeshina.
The others are The Children at the IDP Camp by Olatunbosun Taofeek; The Magic Jalabiya by Ayo Oyeku; The Road does not End by Familoni Oluranti Olubunmi; The Third Side of a Coin by Hyginus Ekwuazi; Village Boy by Anietie Usen; and Wish Maker by Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike.
A shortlist of three is expected in September and a winner announced in October.
Associate dean of humanities at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) Obari Gomba won the NLNG’s Nigeria Prize for Literature 2023 with his drama book, Grit. Gomba won on his fifth attempt.
With a total prize value of US$100,000 for the winner, the Nigeria Prize for Literature is the biggest literary award in Africa and one of the richest literary awards in the world.
