The General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, NLNG, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, represented by Abdul Umar, Manager, Government Relations, NLNG, has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustaining a credible platform that promotes literary excellence and contributes to national development through the arts.

She spoke at the handover 223 works that are in for the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Literature on Monday.

She said, “we have provided the platform, but the credibility of the Prize rests on the integrity of its process and the quality of the works it attracts. Over the years, this Prize has done more than recognise talent. In alignment with NLNG’s core value of excellence, this Prize has contributed to the growth of reading culture, encouraged discipline in writing, and sustained a space where Nigerian literature can continue to develop with confidence.”

She added, “what is fascinating is that yearly, the Nigeria Prize for Literature ignites a spirited conversation that extends far beyond the bounds of the literary community. With every new cycle, it sparks anticipation, debate, critical reflection, and cultural engagement, drawing national attention to the role of literature as both a mirror and moulder of society. The Prize creates an important public moment in which ideas are contested, stories are examined, and the voices of Nigerian writers are amplified. In doing so, it sustains a vibrant tradition of intellectual exchange and reinforces literature’s capacity to provoke thought, inspire dialogue, and deepen national consciousness. We have the media to thank for igniting some of these conversations and we urge you to continue in your good work of bringing both the art and the writers to limelight.”

She noted that the genre demands precision, depth, and clarity, with expectations shaped by the strong benchmark set in previous cycles, particularly the 2022 edition, which produced a winning work that continues to resonate within contemporary Nigerian literature.

The 2026 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Literature, sponsored by NLNG will have 223 poets compete for the $100,000 Prize. The 2022 cycle had 287 poets.

With the formal handover of 223 entries by NLNG to the Advisory Board and panel of judges in Lagos on Monday, Nigeria Prize for Literature has entered the adjudication stage.

The Guardian gathered the submission volume reflects a strong outing for the poetry genre. While slightly below the last cycle, the figure remains competitive and reaffirming its significance within Nigeria’s literary landscape.

Poetry, the genre in focus this year, is often misunderstood and sometimes assumed to be easier than other literary forms.

However, anyone who has worked closely with poetry understands that the opposite is true. There is very little room to hide. One cannot rely on length or excessive explanation. Every line must be precise; every word must justify its presence. It is here that many works fall short.

The entries were formally presented to the Advisory Board, chaired by Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, who in turn handed them over to the panel of judges for evaluation in line with established standards.
Speaking while receiving the entries, Prof. Adimora-Ezeigbo commended NLNG for its continued dedication to the Prize, noting that each edition reflects the evolving depth and diversity of Nigerian writing across genres.

“The Nigeria Prize for Literature, sponsored by NLNG has earned its standing by recognising only excellence. Over the years, it has established a rigorous adjudication framework where literary works are subjected to careful, independent scrutiny, and at the end of the process, only one work emerges to receive the cash award of $100,000.

“The Advisory Board, working closely with the panel of judges, ensures that every entry is read thoroughly and independently. Where necessary, we interrogate the works, raise questions, and assess them against a standard that has been carefully built, refined, and sustained over time. We have continually assured the literary community that their work will be taken seriously, and that assurance is underpinned by a meticulous adjudication process that promotes fairness, balance, and equity.”

She enjoined the literary community to retain confidence in the work of the judges, saying, “The process is thorough, unbiased, and strictly merit-based. It is this consistency, maintained across successive cycles, that has given the Prize its enduring credibility.”

The last time poetry was in focus, Nomad by Romeo Oriogun emerged as the winning collection. Its 67 poems took readers on a layered, introspective journey, reflecting dimensions of the African experience with depth and clarity. That work remains a strong reference point for the genre.

“With the formal handover of the entries, our work begins in earnest. From this point, we move fully into the next stage of the competition.”

In her closing remark, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, Manager Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, NLNG, while noting that the prize have shaped the country’s literature, said, “its standing rests on years of steady work, careful judgement, and a shared commitment to doing Things the right way.

“Our involvement in this Prize has remained deliberate in sustaining a platform that continues to earn credibility and command respect. NLNG does so with a clear understanding of the role literature plays in shaping our society’s intellectual and cultural life. That position remains firm as we continue inspiring a sustainable future.”