…NLNG Introduces New Prize for Creative Arts
L– R : Emeritus Professor Olu Obafemi, member, The Nigeria Prize for Literature (NPL) Advisory Board; Philip Mshelbila, NLNG MD; Oyin Olugbile, Author of ‘Sanya’ and NPL 2025 winner; Mr Olugbile; and Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo at the award of the $100,000
By Stella Williams
The literary world in Nigeria sparkled with excitement on Friday, October 10, 2025, as Sanya, a novel by Oyin Olugbile, clinched the prestigious Nigeria Prize for Literature, one of Africa’s most coveted literary honours, worth a whopping $100,000.
The announcement was made at the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) Grand Award Night in Lagos by the Chairperson of the Prize’s Advisory Board, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, who praised Olugbile’s originality and daring approach to storytelling.
According to Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo, Sanya stood out among the 252 novels submitted for the 2025 edition of the prize for its imaginative reworking of Yoruba mythology, where the thunder god Sango is intriguingly recast as a woman.
“She captured our attention with her mythological retelling and clear, engaging prose,” Professor Ezeigbo said. “Olugbile’s ability to blend fantasy with cultural memory made Sanya a truly compelling read.”
The shortlist also featured two acclaimed writers — Chigozie Obioma, author of The Road to the Country, and Nikki May, author of This Motherless Land. All three novels were celebrated for their strong storytelling and the noticeable growth in Nigeria’s publishing landscape.
Ezeigbo disclosed that the competition was incredibly close. “Each of the shortlisted novels could have won,” she noted. “But after long deliberations, Sanya edged ahead by a slim margin.”
In a related award, Okwudiri Anasiudu emerged winner of The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism, earning $10,000 for his critical essays exploring Afropolitan identity and literary allegory in the works of Helon Habila and other African writers.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, NLNG’s Managing Director and CEO, described literature as a force that defines identity and bridges understanding.
“The Nigeria Prize for Literature is a celebration of imagination and excellence,” he said. “To win it is to have scaled the highest peaks of literary achievement.”
He also announced a major rebranding within NLNG’s prize ecosystem, revealing that The Nigeria Prize for Science would now be known as The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation, reflecting a broader focus on creativity and technology.
In a surprising twist, Dr. Mshelbila disclosed that the Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism would be retired in favour of a new category — The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, beginning with Documentary Film.
“This new prize,” he explained, “will encourage a new generation of storytellers who use visual narratives to reflect, challenge, and celebrate the Nigerian experience.”
Beyond literature, Mshelbila reaffirmed NLNG’s dedication to national development, citing Africa’s growing energy needs. “Nigeria has the responsibility and potential to lead Africa’s energy transition,” he said, highlighting the ongoing Train 7 Project, now over 80% complete, as a $10 billion example of successful local content and collaboration.
He also unveiled a new commemorative book titled “Voices of Our Leaders,” chronicling NLNG’s 35-year journey through the words and reflections of key figures who shaped its legacy.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in his keynote address, applauded the winners while lamenting that no winner emerged for The Nigeria Prize for Science this year. He urged greater national investment in artificial intelligence, digital technology, and innovation, describing them as crucial to Nigeria’s future competitiveness.
Through its three decades of impact, NLNG has remained steadfast in its mission to inspire excellence through The Nigeria Prizes, reaffirming the power of creativity, science, and innovation to shape a sustainable future for Nigeria.
