Olákìtán T. Aládéṣuyì has been shortlisted for the 2025 Commonwealth Short Story Prize. Her story, “The mothers,” explores the harrowing yet empowering journey of a woman escaping an abusive marriage through unconventional means. Aládéṣuyì is among 25 writers selected from nearly 8,000 entries across 18 Commonwealth nations, marking a historic year for the competition.
The Commonwealth Foundation, which administers the prize, revealed the shortlist on Tuesday, celebrating a diverse range of voices from Antigua and Barbuda to Samoa.
Chair of the Judges, Dr. Vilsoni Hereniko, praised the selection as “relevant, vibrant and essential reading,” highlighting the short story’s power to provoke thought and inspire change.
Aládéṣuyì’s “The mothers” delves into themes of resilience, female solidarity and justice. The story follows Aisha, a woman who seeks refuge with a mysterious group of women enforcing their own brand of retribution. The narrative blends folklore with contemporary struggles, a hallmark of Aládéṣuyì’s storytelling.
Born and raised in Nigeria, Aládéṣuyì now resides in London, where she is working on her second novel. Her previous work, “Girl of My Dreams,” won the Lawrence Foundation Award and has been featured in esteemed publications like Prairie Schooner and Agbowó Art.
This year’s shortlist includes five other African writers: Priscilla Ametorpe Goka (Ghana), “The Flute Player,” Dorechi (Kenya), “A Room Full of Teddy Bears,” Stephen M. Finn (South Africa) “Broken String,” and Joshua Lubwama (Uganda), “Mothers Not Appearing In Search”.
Dr. Anne T. Gallagher, Director-General of the Commonwealth Foundation, commended the breadth of perspectives, calling the entries a testament to the creative energy uniting the Commonwealth.
The five regional winners will be announced on May 14, with the overall winner revealed on June 25. All shortlisted stories will be published in adda, the Commonwealth Foundation’s online literary magazine.
More at https://commonwealthfoundation.com/short-story-prize
