The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism 2025 | How to Apply ($10,000)
The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism 2025
The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism, sponsored by NLNG, is now open for submissions for its 2025 edition. This prestigious annual award recognizes the best critical work on Nigerian literature. It aims to deepen interpretations, refine creative writing, and strengthen Nigeria’s literary culture.
To foster literary criticism, the Advisory Board of The Nigeria Prize for Literature will award USD 10,000 to the critic who submits the most outstanding work in Prose Fiction for 2025.
About the Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism
Literature flourishes when it has a strong reading and critical culture. A vibrant literary criticism scene is essential because it helps creative writing evolve, providing deeper analysis of themes, structures, and cultural contexts. It also enhances appreciation for literary works and shapes discussions around them.
Recognizing this need, Nigeria LNG Limited established the Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism in 2012. While The Nigeria Prize for Literature celebrates creative writing, this prize focuses entirely on analyzing and critiquing Nigerian literature.
Who Can Apply?
This competition welcomes literary critics from around the world, as long as their work explores Nigerian literature.
For this prize, Nigerian literature refers to:
- Works that explore Nigeria and the Nigerian experience (not just those written by Nigerians).
- Essays that analyze the works of new-generation Nigerian writers receive special consideration.
Each year, the organizers announce and present the winner alongside the recipient of The Nigeria Prize for Literature.
Submission Guidelines
To participate, applicants must:
- Fill out the application form, available on the Nigeria Prizes website.
- Submit three (3) literary criticism works that focus on Prose Fiction.
- Ensure that their works were published in 2021 or later.
- Understand that the prize is awarded solely on merit—no other factors influence the selection.
Why you should hire a professional editor.
Deadline: April 2, 2025 (Midnight GMT)
Late submissions will not be considered.
Panel of Judges
A panel of distinguished literary experts will evaluate the submissions:
- Dr. Saeedat Bola Aliyu (Chairperson)
- Professor Mbanefho Ogene (Member)
- Olakunle Kasumu (Member)
- Dr. Grace Musila (International Consultant)
Where to Submit
Applicants should send their entries to:
The Nigeria Prize for Literature Secretariat
External Relations Division,
NLNG Corporate Head Office,
NLNG Road, Eastern By-Pass,
Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Why You Should Apply
The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism plays a crucial role in shaping the future of Nigerian literature. By encouraging critical discourse, it helps elevate creative writing and ensures that Nigerian literature continues to thrive.
If you are passionate about literary criticism and want to make an impact, this is your chance. Submit your work and compete for USD 10,000 in prize money.
Tips on how to apply for writing contests
For more details, visit www.thenigeriaprizes.org.
