When we set up The Lagos Review, our intention was clear – to interrogate our literary output by building an ecosystem of literary taste makers and gate keepers who will earn an income as writers.
Almost seven years down the line, we believe we have done that from the quality, output, impact and names of those who have written and continue to write for us.
Our writers have earned 7 MFAs, received 5 Global talent visas, won two CORA- Saro Wiwa review prizes, published 2,327 reviews and essays, with two chosen to write for the FT special edition on Lagos in 2025.
But we do not focus on the rear-view mirror. Our gaze is always forward because we believe that more is possible.
So, this August, thelagosreview.ng will host its first WRITING WEEKEND during which we will hold master classes for 15 lucky members of our first cohort.
Over 3 days, they will learn how to write compelling and insightful music, book and movie reviews as well as essays.
Our facilitators would be led by Ellah Allfrey Wakatama, OBE, Hon. FRSL, Editor-at-large at Canongate, former deputy editor at Granta, past Booker prize and International Dublin Literary award judge and Chair of the AKO Caine Prize and thelagosreview.ng advisory board.
Others are Oris Aigbokhaevbolo, film critic, former Golden Globe judge and moving spirit behind the newly unveiled Africa Critics Award; Akumbu Uche, award winning writer and peerless book reviewer and Toni Kan, award winning poet, novelist, biographer, critic and co- founder thelagosreview.ng.
More to be announced.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Send in a 250-word book, movie or music review to submissions@thelagosreview.ng
- You must be aged 18 to 30
- Must live in Nigeria and be a Nigerian citizen
- Be willing to travel to Lagos for the weekend in August
- Submissions above 250 words would not be considered.
- Submissions written by AI or plagiarised from existing works would not be considered
- Deadline is 5 July 2026
Review any of the following and send to submissions@thelagosreview.ng:
Movie reviewers: Watch and review – Extra Time on Kondo Street – https://youtu.be/4ykTi2jB4NY?si=kc3UmY_if3kPCFQu
Book reviewers: Read and review – Somebody Should Hold Farida– https://ng.boell.org/en/2026/01/23/someone-should-hold-farida
Music reviewers: listen and review – Johnny Drille’s new album: Before The Morning Light” – https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLseMbkD4B1YwcySRIQTeEwn07XSqLw_S2&si=cKagZYxKCFSye82o
What to expect and gain:
- 3 days of intensive, insightful and immersive writing master classes
- Free return air fare from any location in Nigeria
- 3 nights hotel accommodation
- N100,000 honorarium
- Opportunity for regular publication in thelagosreview.
- Participation in a public reading
- Laptops are essential requirements
- ***Female writers and writers from the North and outside Lagos are strongly encouraged to apply.
Looking forward to receiving your entries and welcoming you to Lagos.
Editors
