A national poetry competition has been launched to commemorate the 70th birthday of Dr Wale Okediran, one of Nigeria’s most distinguished literary figures. The competition, specifically targeting writers aged 25 and under, aims to discover and promote the next generation of Nigerian poets while honouring Okediran’s lasting impact on African literature.
Dr Okediran, who currently serves as the Secretary General of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) and is a former national president of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), has been a pivotal force in shaping Nigeria’s literary landscape. The competition bearing his name offers substantial prizes, with the winner set to receive ₦50,000, while second and third place winners will take home ₦30,000 and ₦20,000, respectively.
“This competition not only celebrates Dr Okediran’s milestone birthday but also aims to inspire young poets to explore their creative potential and contribute to Nigeria’s literary heritage,” explained Wole Adedoyin, the competition’s coordinator. The contest will be overseen by a distinguished panel of judges, including Prof. Mabel Evwierhoma from the University of Abuja’s Department of Theatre Arts, who will serve as chairperson.
In an innovative move to preserve the competition’s legacy, the top 20 entries will be compiled into an e-book, creating a lasting testament to the creative prowess of Nigeria’s young poets. The competition welcomes submissions in both free verse and stanza formats, with a maximum length of 20 lines per poem.
Aspiring poets have until February 28, 2025, to submit their entries via email to waleokediranpoetrycompetition@gmail.com. Beyond the monetary prizes, all participants will receive certificates of participation, with special recognition for ten honourable mentions.
The initiative underscores the vital role of literature in national development and provides a unique platform for emerging writers to network with literary professionals. This competition represents another stepping stone in the country’s rich literary tradition, offering young voices the opportunity to join the ranks of celebrated Nigerian poets.
