In a triumph for Nigerian children’s literature, author Familoni Oluranti Olubunmi has been crowned the winner of the prestigious 2024 Nigeria Prize for Literature.
The announcement, made Friday at a glittering ceremony in Lagos, marks a significant milestone in Olubunmi’s already illustrious career and cements his place among Nigeria’s literary elite.
Olubunmi’s winning work, The Road Does Not End, emerged victorious from a fiercely competitive field, besting fellow finalists Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike and Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmo. The prize, sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited, carries a substantial purse of $100,000, making it one of the most lucrative literary awards on the African continent.
The Nigeria Prize for Literature, known for its rigorous selection process and commitment to celebrating Nigerian literary excellence, focused this year on children’s literature. Olubunmi’s work clearly resonated with the panel of judges, showcasing the author’s ability to captivate young readers while addressing themes relevant to contemporary Nigerian society.
Olubunmi is no stranger to literary accolades. His diverse body of work spans plays, short fiction and essays, earning him multiple honours over the years. His collection Smithereens of Death clinched the ANA Prize for Short Stories in 2015, while his children’s book I’ll Call My Brother for You secured the ANA Prize for Children’s Literature in 2020. More recently, his play When Big Masquerades Dance Naked was longlisted for last year’s Nigeria Prize for Literature and shared the ANA Prize for Drama.
The author’s victory not only highlights his individual talent but also underscores the vibrancy and importance of children’s literature in Nigeria’s cultural landscape. As the country continues to grapple with literacy challenges, works like “The Road Does Not End” play a crucial role in inspiring a new generation of readers and thinkers.
With this latest achievement, Olubunmi joins the ranks of previous Nigeria Prize for Literature winners, further enriching the country’s literary heritage. As the dust settles on this year’s competition, all eyes will undoubtedly turn to what this prolific author will produce next, with expectations running high for future works that will continue to captivate, educate, and inspire readers both young and old.
