Poets in Nigeria (PIN) is delighted to announce the prize winners for the maiden edition of the Nigerian Students Poetry Prize which was declared open to submissions on 15th January, 2016 at the University of Ibadan. Closing to submissions on 15th March, entries numbering 400 were received from students drawn from 64 tertiary institutions within and outside the country.

Having announced the longlist and the shortlist within the month of June 2016, the top 3 entrants who also double as prize winners are as follows:

• The Sun Will Rise Again – NOAH OLADELE, a 300L student of the department of English, Obafemi Awolowo University.

• Beautiful Father, Loving Husband – CHINELO NWANGWU, a 500L student of the department of Petroleum Engineering, University of Ibadan.
• Sundown in Port Harcourt – OKAFOR KINGSLEY CHISOM, a 400L student of the department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

The Chair of the Judging Panel, Mallam Denja Abdullahi (President, Association of Nigerian Authors) while making available the final result said, “The entries reviewed from the 2016 PIN students’ poetry competition were of high quality, reflecting a refreshing diversity of themes and styles; so much so that one can conclude that poetry is gradually emerging from being considered by the multitude as a closet art to being regarded as a capable carrier of weighty messages encased in melody.”

Note: The top 3 entrants will receive their cash prizes of ₦100,000, ₦50,000 and ₦30,000 respectively today 30th June, 2016 via their respective bank accounts. They will however be formally awarded at a Grand PIN Awards Ceremony scheduled for the later part of the year.


We heartily congratulate the winners whilst appreciating all participants and supporters who made the contest worthwhile and successful in its inaugural year.

Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom
Moderator, NSPP 2016
www.poetsinnnigeria.org.ng