2017 Nigeria Prize for Literature

2017 Nigeria Prize for Literature
Date10 October 2017
LocationLagos
CountryNigeria

The 2017 Nigeria Prize for Literature is a literary award worth US$100,000 given for the best English-language novel published by a Nigerian author. The winner, Ikeogu Oke for his poetry book The Heresiad, was announced on 10 October 2017 in Lagos.

Focused on poetry, the jury consisted of Ernest Emenyonu, the chairman, Tade Ipadeola, the 2013 recipient, and Razinat Mohammed.[1] On 22 July 2017, 11 books were longlisted out of 184 entries.[2][3]

On 30 August 2017, the shortlist was released and it contained only three books; Songs of Myself by Tanure Ojaide, A Good Mourning by Ogaga Ifowodo and The Heresiad by Ikeogu Oke.[1] On 10 October 2017, chairman of the advisory board of the prize, Ayo Banjo, during the World Press Conference in Lagos announced Ikeogu Oke as the winner.[3]

Nominees

Source:[2]

  indicates the winner
  indicates shortlisted
Author Title Publisher
Tanure Ojaide Songs of Myself
Peter Akinlabi Iconography
Hyginus Ekwuazi One Day I’ll Dare to Raise My Middle Finger at the Stork and the Reaper
Obari Gomba For Every Homeland
Seun Lari-Williams Garri for Breakfast
Humphrey Ogu Echoes of Neglect
Abubakar Othman Blood Streams in the Desert
Ikeogu Oke The Heresiad Kraft Books
Jumoke Verissimo The Birth of Illusion
Ebi Yeibo Of Waters and the Wild
Ogaga Ifowodo A Good Mourning

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Edoro, Ainehi (2017-08-30). "Tanure Ojaide, Ogaga Ifowodo and Ikeogu Oke Shortlisted for the 2017 NLNG Prize". Brittle Paper. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  2. ^ a b Murua, James (2017-07-22). "Nigeria Prize for Literature 2017 longlist announced". James Murua's African Literature Blog. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  3. ^ a b Sam-Duru, Prisca (2017-10-10). "Ikeogu Oke is 2017 winner of Nigeria Prize for Literature". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2025-11-22.