By Patience Chat Moses
As the Nigerian literary community gathers to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the prestigious NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature, there is a palpable sense of achievement in the air. This year, the prize has attracted an unprecedented number of entries, with 163 works vying for the coveted literature award and an additional 24 for the Prize for Literary Criticism.
The NLNG’s unwavering commitment to the arts over the past two decades has not only fostered a culture of literary excellence but has also positioned the prize as a beacon of inspiration for Nigerian authors. The Advisory Board, chaired by the esteemed Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, has lauded the company for its admirable consistency in nurturing the prize to its current stature. According to her, many other prize initiatives in the country have not been able to come this far. “Look at the number of entries, this year is the highest we have received so far which shows that the Nigerian authors are interested in what we do”.
She also expressed confidence in the calibre of panel members selected for this year and hoped that they would do their best.
This year’s focus on children’s literature is a testament to the NLNG’s dedication to enriching the minds of the young, ensuring that the torch of creativity is passed on to the next generation. The prize’s substantial reward of $100,000 for literature and $10,000 for literary criticism underscores the value placed on intellectual and artistic contributions.
The selection process is rigorous, with a 3-member panel of judges led by Professor Saleh Abdu at the helm, ensuring that the standards of excellence are upheld. The journey from the long list of 11 to the shortlist of 3, and finally to the judges’ verdict, is a meticulous one, culminating in the grand announcement in October 2024.
The NLNG’s role extends beyond the literary sphere, as it is a key player in the global LNG market, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s energy sector. Its ownership structure, with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) holding the largest share, reflects a strategic alliance that benefits the nation’s economy.
The NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature not only celebrates the art of writing but also contributes to the broader cultural landscape, influencing journalism, film, and theatre production. The competition’s cycle, which includes Prose Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Children’s Literature, ensures a diverse representation of literary forms.
Requirements for the competition
The competition is open to only Nigerian writers irrespective of their place of residence. An author will enter only one published work. Unpublished work will not be considered. No book previously submitted for this competition may be re-submitted at a later date, even if major revisions have been made or a new edition published. The prize will be awarded for no other reason than excellence.
No member of the Advisory Board, Panel of Judges or members of their families can enter their work(s) for the award in the period in which they are serving and two years thereafter.
No entries will be accepted from staff of Nigeria LNG Limited and their families.
No entry submitted after the stipulated deadline will be accepted.
Failure to meet all stated conditions above will lead to disqualification of the entry. Every year, contestants of the Nigeria Prize for Literature are expected to submit entries to the External Relations Division, Nigeria ENG Limited Corporate Head Office, NLNG Road, Eastern By-Pass, Port Harcourt. Rivers State, Nigeria. This year, winners will be announced and presented in October 2024.
Last year’s edition focused on drama and three brilliant playwrights emerged in the shortlist, Gomba, Abideen Abolaji Ojomu, and Henry Akubuiro. Gomba was announced as the winner of the prize at the award ceremony, on October 13 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. The winning play beat the Ojomu’s ‘The Ojuelegba Crossroads’ and Akubuiro’s ‘Yamtarawala – The Warrior King’ along with 140 others.
As we look back on past winners, such as Jude Idada’s “Boom Boom” in 2019, and anticipate the announcement of this year’s laureates, it is clear that the NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature has become an integral part of Nigeria’s cultural heritage. It stands as a symbol of the nation’s commitment to fostering a thriving literary community and nurturing the talents that will shape the future of Nigerian literature.