Oyin Olugbile has clinched the $100,000 Nigeria Prize for Literature (NPL). Announced the 2025 laureate for her novel, Sanya, at the grand award ceremony this evening, October 10, Olugbile’s victory is a powerful testament to the excellence emerging from Nigeria’s vibrant local publishing scene, overcoming strong competition from the internationally renowned Chigozie Obioma and Nikki May.
The judges had previously praised Sanya as a “fascinating novel” with an “unrelenting” pace and an intriguing plot that immediately “grabs attention.”
Olugbile’s win represents a pivotal moment for the prize, affirming that literary quality, regardless of an author’s global profile, is the sole measure of success.
The victory comes after a highly competitive cycle that began with 252 submissions and included past winners on the longlist. The Advisory Board, under Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, noted the difficulty of the adjudication, calling this cycle one of the most competitive yet.
The award fulfills NLNG’s mission to “deliver energy to improve lives and inspire a sustainable future,” a future that relies on courageous local storytellers.
The prize is no doubt an “enabler” in the Nigerian literary ecosystem, and Olugbile’s win serves as a major inspiration for young and upcoming writers across the country, showing that their voice can indeed claim a place on this prestigious stage.
