The Nigeria Prize for Literature’s 2023 edition has unveiled its longlist of 11 playwrights contending for the prestigious award. The Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature announced the longlist, selecting these plays from a pool of 143 entries.
The literature prize, sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), offers a cash award of $100,000 to the winner.
The 11 plays on the longlist are:
1. Dance of The Sacred Feet by Ade Adeniji
2. Gidan Juju by Victor S. Dugga
3. Grit by Obari Gomba
4. Home Coming by Cheta Igbokwe
5. The Boat People by Christopher Anyokwu
6. The Brigadiers of a Mad Tribe by Abuchi Modilim
7. The Ojuelegba Crossroads by Abideen Abolaji Ojomu
8. The Spellbinder by Bode Sowande
9. When Big Masquerades Dance Naked by Olubunmi Familoni
10. Where Is Patient Zero by Olatunbosun Taofeek
11. Yamtarawala – The Warrior King by Henry Akubuiro
Professor Ameh Dennis Akoh, a Professor of Drama and Critical Theory at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State, chaired the Panel of Judges for this year’s prize, alongside Professor Osita Catherine Ezenwanebe and Dr Rasheedah Liman.
The Judges’ report praised the plays for exploring profound themes and showcasing the playwrights’ artistry and creativity. They also commended the playwrights’ ability to bring their characters and narratives to life, showcasing their profound insight into the human experience.
Additionally, the Judges are currently evaluating the 13 entries for The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism, which runs concurrently with The Nigeria Prize for Literature. The literary criticism prize carries a monetary value of $10,000.
The Nigeria Prize for Literature annually rotates among four literary categories – prose fiction, poetry, drama, and children’s literature. The shortlist of three plays will be announced in September, and the winner will be revealed by the Advisory Board in October.