James Ngwu Eze’s Unbind Me Now, Ogaga Ifowodo’s Why Does God Need A Gun? and Tares Oburumu’s Flora’s Love Colony have emerged as the three finalists for the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Literature.
The shortlisted works were announced yesterday after a rigorous judging process that began with 223 submissions and was narrowed to an 11-title longlist released in July.
The judges assessed the entries based on a range of literary qualities, including language, form, originality, craftsmanship and their potential to retain lasting value.
Chairperson of the Advisory Board of the Nigeria Prize for Literature and 2008 winner of the prize, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, described the selection process as demanding.
“Arriving at the final three from 223 submissions was a demanding task for the judges,” she said.
According to her, the shortlisted collections demonstrate the strength and diversity of contemporary Nigerian poetry, while also showing an ability to engage readers with issues affecting society and the wider world.
The jury praised Eze’s Unbind Me Now for its fluid and aesthetically appealing use of language.
The collection examines sociopolitical dysfunction in Nigeria and around the world, while exploring broader questions about the human condition and the possibility of redemption.
Ifowodo’s Why Does God Need A Gun? was recognised for its exploration of religious and political violence in Nigeria.
The jury said the collection employs a rich allegorical approach and examines the forces shaping contemporary society through a structure built around the body, mind and spirit.
Oburumu’s Flora’s Love Colony, meanwhile, focuses on Nigeria’s troubled history.
The judges described the collection as densely poetic, saying it challenges conventional historical narratives while combining vivid imagery with evocative language to present a compelling socio-historical account.
The 2026 edition of the Nigeria Prize for Literature is the 22nd edition of the prestigious literary award and is dedicated to poetry.
The prize operates on a four-year rotation covering prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature.
Sponsored by the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), the Nigeria Prize for Literature is aimed at identifying and rewarding outstanding literary works while encouraging creativity and strengthening Nigeria’s literary culture.
The winner of the 2026 prize will emerge from the three shortlisted poetry collections following the final stage of the judging process.
