Deadline: March 31, 2026
The 2026 Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) Prize for Literature (USD 100,000 Prize) stands as one of Africa’s most prestigious and financially rewarding literary awards. Organised by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), the annual prize celebrates excellence in literary creativity and honours the best Nigerian author whose published work demonstrates outstanding artistic merit.
Overview
Established to promote Nigerian literature and encourage authors to contribute to the country’s rich cultural heritage, the NLNG Prize for Literature remains the most valuable literary award on the continent, offering a grand prize of USD 100,000 to a single winner. The competition is open to Nigerian writers both at home and abroad.
2026 Focus: Poetry
For the 2026 Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) Prize for Literature, the focus genre is Poetry. This means that only poetry collections are eligible for submission in the 2026 cycle. Works submitted must have been published from 2023 onwards, as books published before 2023 will not be considered.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the 2026 NLNG Prize for Literature, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Applicants must be Nigerian citizens, whether resident in Nigeria or abroad.
- Only published works are eligible; unpublished manuscripts will not be accepted.
- Each author may submit only one entry.
- Works published before 2023 are ineligible.
- Members of the NLNG staff, their immediate families, the Advisory Board, and the panel of judges (and their immediate families) cannot participate in the competition.
Submission Requirements
All submissions must include the following materials:
- Completed entry form – obtainable from The Nigeria Prizes official website.
- Twelve (12) hard copies of the submitted poetry book.
- One (1) electronic copy of the same work.
- Proof of Nigerian citizenship (e.g., Nigerian passport or National ID).
Authors must ensure that all materials are properly packaged and submitted before the deadline. Late entries will not be accepted.
Submission Address
Entries may be delivered to any of the following NLNG offices:
- NLNG Corporate Head Office, Port Harcourt
- NLNG Lagos Transit Office, Ikeja
- NLNG London Liaison Office
Deadline
All applications and materials must be submitted on or before 31st March 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (WAT). Any entry received after the deadline will be disqualified automatically.
Prize Value
The 2026 Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) Prize for Literature carries a cash award of USD 100,000. The prize recognises excellence in literary creativity and outstanding artistic achievement, and is awarded solely on merit. Only one winner will be selected in the Literature category.
Announcement of Winner
The winner of the 2026 NLNG Prize for Literature will be officially announced later in the year, typically during a formal award ceremony held by Nigeria LNG Limited.
About The Nigeria Prizes
The NLNG Prize for Literature is part of The Nigeria Prizes — a set of annual awards established by Nigeria LNG Limited to promote excellence and innovation in various fields. These include:
- The Nigeria Prize for Literature – USD 100,000
- The Nigeria Prize for Science – USD 100,000
- The Nigeria Prize for Innovation and Creative Arts – USD 20,000
These awards collectively represent NLNG’s ongoing commitment to nurturing talent, fostering creativity, and celebrating intellectual achievement in Nigeria.
How to Apply
Interested authors are encouraged to prepare their entries early and ensure that all required materials are complete and correctly packaged before submission.
- ✅ Application Deadline: 31st March 2026 (11:59 p.m. WAT)
- 💰 Prize: USD 100,000
- 📖 Category: Poetry
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