LAGOS, NIGERIA – The Nigeria Prize for Literature, sponsored by NLNG, took centre stage at a virtual Bookfest, where the three finalists for the 2025 award engaged with readers, highlighting the depth of Nigerian literary talent.
The event, held in collaboration with the Rainbow Book Club (RBC), spotlighted the power of storytelling ahead of the winner’s announcement in October, 2025.
The three shortlisted novels, all in the Prose Fiction genre for this year’s rotation, are:
- Sanya by Oyin Olugbile
- The Road to the Country by Chigozie Obioma
- This Motherless Land by Nikki May
The Bookfest featured engaging readings from the shortlisted works and a dynamic Q&A session, offering participants a deeper look into the authors’ creative processes.
Authors Share Emotional Writing Journeys
The finalists shared their personal reactions to the shortlist recognition and the complex process of creating their novels.
Oyin Olugbile, whose debut novel Sanya earned her a spot on the coveted list, described the recognition as “surreal.”
“I feel like somebody is going to pinch me to wake up,” Olugbile confessed. “This recognition is an amazing feat and an encouragement to keep going. I am deeply grateful to NLNG and to all the readers who embraced Sanya.”
British-Nigerian writer Nikki May described her experience writing one of the characters in This Motherless Land as both intimate and therapeutic. She explained that the character, Funke, was the “perfect version” of herself—the one who fulfilled all the expectations May had not.
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“Writing about Funke was like holding a mirror to myself. It was therapy in the form of fiction,” May noted, acknowledging the challenge of confronting personal questions about identity and belonging through her work.
NLNG Reaffirms Commitment to Literature
In her remarks, Sophia Horsfall, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, congratulated the authors, noting that the three novels were selected from an impressive 252 submissions, proving the richness of Nigerian narratives.
Horsfall emphasized the broader purpose of the Prize beyond the $100,000 cash reward. “Literature is more than art; it’s a mirror that reflects who we are as a people and a compass that points us toward progress,” she said. “Through this Prize, we reaffirm our commitment to preserving our cultural heritage while encouraging new generations of writers to dream, innovate, and inspire.”
Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager at NLNG, Mrs. Anne Maria-Palmer, echoed this sentiment, drawing a direct parallel between the company’s business and its investment in the arts.
“People sometimes ask why an energy company like NLNG invests so much in literature. My answer is simple: stories are energy. Literature fuels imagination, helps us understand ourselves, and shapes how the world sees us. That is why the Nigeria Prize for Literature matters.”
Founder and CEO of the Rainbow Book Club, Koko Kolango, commended the long-standing partnership with NLNG, stating that the Prize significantly boosts Nigeria’s knowledge economy by inspiring writers both locally and in the diaspora. The winner of the 21st edition of The Nigeria Prize for Literature is scheduled to be announced next month.
