The 2024 Toyin Falola Prize Winner is Divine Inyang Titus
Divine Inyang Titus has won the 2024 Toyin Falola Prize for his story, “Fibers from the Deep”.
According to the organizers, Divine Inyang Titus is the second Nigerian to win the prize. His story is said to introduce readers to Ikem, a deeply conflicted protagonist navigating existential dilemmas, family turmoil, trauma, detachment, loss, and spiritual crises—particularly following the death of his brother and the breakdown of his family.
The judges described Divine’s winning story as
“a compelling exploration of the tension between cultural heritage and modern identity. Its narrative skillfully balances humor, spiritual conflict, tragedy, and existential questioning. The power of the story lies in its raw authenticity, its ability to evoke both empathy and introspection, making it a deserving winner in this contest.”
The winner will receive a monetary award of One Thousand US Dollars ($1000) and an invitation to the BIGSAS Festival of African and African Diasporic Literatures at Bayreuth in Germany, while the shortlisted entries will receive One Hundred US Dollars ($100).
Shortlisted writers for the 2024 Toyin Falola Prize include:
- “Fibers from the deep” – Divine Inyang Titus
- “A Place like here/Hotel Baghdad” – Mlilo Mpondo
- “The Harvestor’s Commandment” – Mohammad Haruna
- “The Blood We Tie” – Immaculate Halla
- “The Recrudescence” – Nwafor Emmanuel
Congratulations to Divine Inyang Titus.
The Prize is created in honor of the Distinguished African scholar and foremost historian, Professor Toyin Falola. His contributions to the field of African history and culture have continued to place Africa on the map and accord it its deserved recognition. TFP is meant to honour his endeavours and contribute to advancing the richness of African culture, people, myth, history, advancement, and modernity.
If you want to submit for the prize next year, learn how to write an intriguing story.
