₦airaland Forum

Nigerian-born author and cultural storyteller Oyindamola Olugbile has won the 2025 NLNG-sponsored Nigeria Prize for Literature, defeating Chigozie Obioma and Nikki May.
The Nigeria Prize for Literature, established in 2004, is one of the country’s most prestigious literary awards.

The Advisory Board for the Prize, chaired by Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, announced Ms Olugbile’s victory at the award ceremony held on Friday night at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.

Ms Olugbile clinched the coveted prize with her debut novel, “Sanya”, defeating Mr Obioma’s “The Road to the Country” and Ms May’s “This Motherless Land.”

A graduate of the University of Lagos, where she earned a B.A. (Hons) in Creative Arts, Ms Olugbile received the grand cash award of $100,000.

Sanya

Her novel “Sanya” is a debut that explores the themes of dangerous love, lost, found, and lost again, set against the backdrop of a fantastical, mesmerising empire that even the Òrìsà find enchanting.

Ms Olugbile also holds Postgraduate Certificates from Lagos Business School, Harvard Business School Online, and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG).

She also earned an MSc from King’s College London and works as a Social Impact Management Consultant.

She is the Chief Curator of the Experience Factory, an education enterprise devoted to curating out-of-classroom learning experiences for young people.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that author Olubunmi Familoni won the 2024 edition of the prize with his book, “The Road Does Not End.”

Process

This newspaper learnt that Ms Adimora-Ezeigbo described the adjudication process as intense, rigorous, and meticulous.

She noted that the eleven books initially longlisted were all outstanding entries, adding that the challenges faced by the judges during this year’s evaluation were both daunting and unprecedented.

Ms Adimora-Ezeigbo also commended all the authors who submitted their works, describing it as inspiring to witness such remarkable creativity and passion.

“Each work distinguishes itself through masterful plotting, characterisation, and a good command of language that transports readers into imagined worlds. These are not merely stories; they are carefully woven realities.

They are compelling in their beauty, stirring in their emotional resonance, and unflinching in their engagement with familiar yet urgent societal issues. The way the writers handled and resolved conflict highlights their skill and literary standing, making these works quite outstanding.

“Our task, therefore, is clear. It is to choose the most deserving laureate for The Nigeria Prize for Literature, 2025. This cycle has been one of the most competitive yet, with every entry showing an impressive level of excellence that stretched our judgment to the limit.

Still, we remain committed to excellence, honouring outstanding writings and keeping alive the vital conversation around Nigerian literature”, Ms Adimora-Ezeigbo added.

Congratulations to Oyin Olugbile [@HeyItsOyin] on winning The Nigeria Prize for Literature 2025 for her book, SANYA.#NLNGGAN25 #NLNGGrandAwardNight pic.twitter.com/TUbZxCC999
— NLNG Grand Award Night 2025 (@Nlnggan) October 10, 2025

Oyin was longlisted alongside Yewande Omotoso (An Unusual Grief),
Linda N. Masi (Fine Dreams),
Michael Afenfia (My Bones in SakasToon),
Uwem Akpan (New York, My Village),
Ayo Oyeku (Petrichor, The Scent of a New Beginning), Chika Unigwe (The Middle Daughter),
Chigozie Obioma (The Road to the Country), Nikki May (This Motherless Land), Chioma Okereke (Water Baby), and Abubakar Adam Ibrahim (When We Were Fireflies).

SmartPolician:
Congratulations to Dammy. This has to be one of the biggest prize money for literary works. If other nationals were allowed to participate, I don't think a Nigerian would ever win. It would be a case of Kenyans coming to Nigeria all the time to win the prize money of our marathons.

BTW, NLNG is really trying in promoting art and science innovations in Nigeria. The management should also help build labs for Nigerian universities to improve practical sessions for the STEM students. NLNG is rich. Budgeting $300k every year in building and equipping labs across universities in Nigeria can reposition those institutions.

Newsmills:
Instead of hosting it in port harcourt while Lagos our slavery mentality is our problem in the south south region,what’s the meaning of hosting it in Lagos.Headquarters of NLNG is in port harcourt.

SmartPolician:
Congratulations to Damola. This has to be one of the biggest prize money for literary works. If other nationals were allowed to participate, I don't think a Nigerian would ever win. It would be a case of Kenyans and Ethiopians coming to Nigeria all the time to win the prize money of our marathons.

BTW, NLNG is really trying in promoting art and science innovations in Nigeria. The management should also help build labs for Nigerian universities to improve practical sessions for the STEM students. NLNG is rich. Budgeting $300k every year in building and equipping labs across universities in Nigeria can reposition those institutions.

JuanDeDios:
I think they should spread. Spread the 100k.

Olachase:
$100,000 dollars

How much is that when converted to Nigeria

That should be like 70 Ghana must go bag

Anything you are doing in This life make sure you are not useless 😁😁

Pakute:
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/artsbooks/827180-oyindamola-olugbile-wins-nlngs-100000-literature-prize.html

mightyhazel:
Where can one find these books


Im still stuck with the Hadley chase's,the Sheldon's, Steeles, Archers,Grishams,,Koontz's,kings etc