This year’s Nigeria Prize for Literature (NPL) has unveiled a longlist of 11 exceptional writers, and to celebrate their achievements, a special X Space event is set to bring them directly to the public. Titled “Voices Behind the Stories: A Conversation with the Longlist,” the virtual gathering hosted by Jola Ayeye will take place this Sunday, August 10, from 5pm to 7pm.
The event promises a vibrant and insightful conversation with all 11 longlisted authors, offering a unique opportunity for readers, literary enthusiasts, and the wider public to engage directly with the minds behind the stories. The conversation will explore their creative journeys, the inspirations for their novels, and the nuances of the stories that have captivated this year’s judges.
The longlist is particularly notable for its mix of acclaimed veterans and new voices. Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, who previously won the NPL nine years ago, returns with When We Were Fireflies. Chika Unigwe, another past winner from 2012, is back with her novel The Middle Daughter. They are joined by a powerful list of authors, including Ayo Oyeku with Petrichor: The Scent of a New Beginning, and newcomers like Chioma Okereke with Water Baby, and Michael Afenfia with Leave My Bones In Saskatoon. The list also features Chigoze Obioma (The Road to the Country), Yewande Omotoso (An Unusual Grief), Linda M. Masi (Fine Dreams), Oyin Olugbile (Sanya), Nikki May (This Motherless Land), and Uwem Akpan (New York, My Village).
This X Space event is a key moment in the NPL calendar, providing a platform to celebrate the richness of African literature and foster a deeper connection between readers and the authors who shape it.
