According to the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature, led by Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo, 11 Nigerian authors have been shortlisted for this year’s Literature Prize for Prose Fiction, worth $100,000. This initial shortlist was drawn from 173 books.

Here are the authors (resident in the country and outside) and their work in the shortlist:

  • Chika Unigwe (winner of the prize in 2012): Night Dancer (2014).
  • Ogochukwu Promise (author of over fifteen novels): Sorrow’s Joy
  • Yejide Kilanko (a writer of poetry and fiction): Daughters Who Walk This Path.
  • Ifeoma Okoye (a writer and author of children’s literature): The Fourth World
  • Sefi Atta (author of Everything Good Will Come): A Bit of Difference
  • Abubakar Adam Ibrahim (writer and journalist): Season of Crimson Blossoms
  • Ifeoluwa Adeniyi (radio broadcaster): On the Bank of the River
  • Elnathan John (lawyer and writer): Born On A Tuesday
  • Aramide Segun (winner of an ANA Prose Prize): Eniitan Daughter of Destiny
  • Maryam Awaisu (radio presenter): Burning Bright
  • Mansim Chumah Okafor (author of two previous books of fiction): The Parable of the Lost Shepherds

The list was presented by the chairman, panel of judges for this year’s prize, Prof. Dan Izevbaye, well-respected literary critic and a professor of English Language at Bowen University, Iwo. Other members of the panel of judges include Professor Asabe Usman Kabir, Professor of Oral and African Literatures at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto and Professor Isidore Diala, a professor of African Literature at Imo State University, Owerri and first winner of The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism.

“The Nigeria Prize for Literature has, since 2004, rewarded eminent writers such as Gabriel Okara (co-winner, 2004, poetry), Professor Ezenwa Ohaeto (co-winner, 2004, poetry) for The Dreamer, His Vision; Ahmed Yerima (2005, drama) for his play, Hard Ground; Mabel Segun (co-winner, 2007, children’s literature) for her collection of short plays Reader’s Theatre; Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo (co-winner, 2007, children’s literature) for her book, My Cousin Sammy; Kaine Agary (2008, prose) for her book Yellow Yellow; Esiaba Irobi (2010, drama) who clinched the prize posthumously with his book Cemetery Road; Adeleke Adeyemi (2011, children’s literature) with his book The Missing Clock; Chika Unigwe (2012, prose), with her novel, On Black Sisters Street; Tade Ipadeola (2013, poetry) with his collection of poems, The Sahara Testaments and Professor Sam Ukala (2014, drama) with his play, Iredi War.”