NLNG opens entries for 2025 literature, science prizes, spotlights AI, digital innovation

The Nigeria Prize for Science and Literature sponsored by NLNG has continued to contribute significantly to national development, by championing innovation, creativity and ensuring that science and literature remain vital pillars in shaping Nigeria’s future.

In the last 20 years, the NLNG has spent over $1.4 million on prizes for literature, literary criticism inclusive. Last weekend, it opened submissions for the 2025 awards.

Speaking on the commencement of the prizes’ cycle, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, emphasised the significance of the 2025 competitions.

She stated that research have shown the immense potential of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and digital technologies in reshaping global industries and societies, offering innovative solutions to some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.

She stated that as the world transitions from the Industrial Age to the Intelligent Age, these advancements provide new opportunities to drive economic growth, foster social progress, and build a sustainable future.

This year, Nigeria Prize for Literature, one of the country’s most prestigious literary accolades, shifts its focus to Prose Fiction for the 2025 edition.
Authors of Nigerian descent, resident anywhere in the world, are invited to submit books published from 2022 onward for a chance to win the $100,000 prize.

The highly rated genre, Prose Fiction, continues to attract one of the highest numbers of entries since the inception of the prize in 2004. Prose Fiction cycle of 2020/2021 pulled over 200 entries for Nigeria authors. Its first outing did not produce any winner. First winner in the genre emerged is Kaine Agari, whose winning entry, Yellow Yellow, got the prize for 2008.

Only four winning entries have, however, emerged in the Prose Fiction competition since inception of the prize in 2004. Past winning entries include On Black Sisters’ Street by Chika Unigwe (2012); Season of Crimson Blossoms by Abubakar A. Ibrahim (2016) and The Son of the House by Cheluchi Onyemelukwe-Onuobia (2021).

According to the Chairperson of the Advisory Board for literature prize, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, “Prose literature is a mirror reflecting our society. Through storytelling, we find ways to understand our collective experiences and envision a better future. This year’s competition promises to bring forward stories that resonate deeply with both local and global audiences.”

Complementing this is the Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism, which seeks critical essays focused on contemporary Nigerian literature, particularly new writings in prose. The prize is worth $10,000.

The Nigeria Prize for Science celebrates excellence in scientific breakthroughs and honours scientists from anywhere in the world, who help find solutions to a local or ‘Nigerian’ problem, as defined and advertised by the Advisory Board for the prize.

The Prize aimed at stimulating the advancement and application of science and technology. It is expected that the quest for a prestigious prize in science will improve science and technology in Nigeria, resolve issues that are germane to development of the country and help improve the standards of living.

In 2025, the Science Prize is looking for innovations in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Digital Technologies that can drive development.

The focus on AI comes as the technology continues to reshape global economies and industries, creating new job opportunities and transforming productivity. Recent studies suggest that AI could add between 2.6 trillion and 4.4 trillion to global corporate profits each year.

“The rapid evolution of AI and digital technologies provides a unique opportunity for Nigeria and other developing nations to leapfrog traditional development trajectories. Our goal is to celebrate groundbreaking solutions that can directly impact Nigeria’s journey toward sustainable development,” said Chairman of the Advisory Board for the science prize, Professor Barth Nnaji.

“Artificial Intelligence isn’t just a tool; it’s a game-changer. From optimising agriculture in diverse climates to improving public health infrastructure and transforming Nigeria’s digital economy, AI holds immense potential to drive inclusive and sustainable growth,” he added.

With a $100,000 prize, the science competition is open to global scientists and innovators whose completed works demonstrate a proof of concept and tangible social impact.