ANA Releases Shortlist for HRM Eze M.O. Kanu/ANA Prize for Young Adult Literature

ANA RELEASES SHORTLIST FOR HRM EZE M. O. KANU/ANA PRIZE FOR YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE

By ANA Media Team 

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has released the shortlist for the HRM Eze M. O. Kanu/ANA Prize for Young Adult Literature, featuring three works that have been selected for the maiden edition of the prestigious literary prize. 

The shortlisted works are The Smoke that Thunders by Erhu Kome, A Twist of Fate by Peter Adah, and Aremu in Trouble by Bola Tijani.

The announcement was contained in a press release jointly issued by the President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi, and the Acting General Secretary, Wole Adedoyin. The Association congratulated the shortlisted authors and acknowledged the quality of the submissions received for the prize, which seeks to encourage creativity and sustained literary engagement among young readers.

The HRM Eze M. O. Kanu/ANA Prize for Young Adult Literature is aimed at immortalising the legacy of the late traditional ruler while promoting a strong reading culture among Nigerian youths and rewarding excellence in the development of Young Adult Literature in Nigeria. 

Through the prize, ANA seeks to encourage writers to produce engaging, imaginative and meaningful literature that speaks to young readers and contributes to their intellectual and cultural development.

The prize is endowed by the estate of the late HRM Eze Dr Sir Maxwell Omeire Kanu (KSC). Until his death, HRM Eze Kanu was the traditional ruler of Ezejie Autonomous Community of Arondizuogu in Ideato Local Government Area of Imo State. He was also the former Chairman of the popular Agura Hotel in Abuja and was widely supportive of the arts and literary activities during his lifetime.

ANA stated that the shortlisted works will proceed to the final stage of the assessment process, with the eventual winner to emerge in accordance with the established procedures of the prize. 

The Association expressed appreciation to the estate of the late HRM Eze M. O. Kanu for supporting literary development and for creating a platform through which his commitment to the arts and the younger generation can continue to resonate.

 

ANA Announces Shortlist for 2026 Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature

ANA ANNOUNCES SHORTLIST FOR 2026 CHINUA ACHEBE PRIZE FOR LITERATURE 

By ANA Media Team 

As the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) prepares to host its members, writers, literary enthusiasts and stakeholders at its 45th International Convention, the Association has announced the shortlist for the sixth edition of the Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature. 

The announcement is another significant milestone in ANA’s continued recognition and promotion of excellence in Nigerian fiction.

In a statement jointly issued by the President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi, and the Acting General Secretary, Wole Adedoyin, the Association announced three works shortlisted for the 2026 edition of the prestigious prize. 

The shortlisted authors and their works are Dexter Loko – The Bako of Zereshe, Henry Akubuiro – No Place Like Home, and Oyekitiachi Uzozie Nmezi – Chikoba.

According to the statement, the shortlist followed the judges’ assessment of the works submitted for consideration. The statement reads in part: “The Association of Nigerian Authors has released the shortlist for the 2026 Chinua Achebe Prize.” The Association noted that the announcement forms part of the activities leading to the 45th International Convention.

The Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature recognises excellence and outstanding achievement in Nigerian fiction. Established in 2021, the prize has, over the years, recognised notable works of Nigerian fiction and celebrated authors whose works have contributed to the development of Nigeria’s literary tradition. Past winners are 2021 – Obinna Ndenwe, Colours of Hatred; 2022 – Sylva Nze Ifedigbo, Believers and Hustlers; 2023 – Nikė Campbell, Saro; 2024 – Ifeoma Chinwuba, Sons of the East; and 2025 – Ndidi Chiazor Enenmor, See Morocco, See Spain.

For the 2026–2030 period, the Association of Nigerian Authors expressed appreciation to United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) for its sponsorship commitment of ₦10 million towards prize money and administrative costs. ANA stated that the sponsorship would support the continued administration of the prize and contribute to the promotion of Nigerian literary excellence.

The winner of the 2026 Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature will receive ₦1,000,000 (One Million Naira), alongside a plaque and certificate. 

The Association congratulated all the shortlisted authors and acknowledged the judges for their efforts in evaluating the submitted works. The winner is expected to be announced as part of activities surrounding the 45th International Convention.

 

ANA Unveils Shortlists for 2026 Literary Prizes

ANA UNVEILS SHORTLISTS FOR 2026 LITERARY PRIZES

By ANA Media Team 

 

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has unveiled the shortlists for the 2026 edition of its annual Literary Prizes, recognising outstanding works across poetry, fiction, drama, literary criticism, non-fiction and children’s fiction.

The unveiling was contained in a press statement issued by the President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi, and the Acting General Secretary, Wole Adedoyin. It marks another stage in the Association’s longstanding tradition of celebrating literary excellence and providing a platform for writers whose works contribute to the development and diversity of Nigerian literature.

The 2026 prizes cover eight major literary categories. The shortlisted works and authors, in no particular order, are as follows:

1. ANA/KMVL PRIZE FOR POETRY

1. Abraham Aondoana — Songs for a Burning Continent

2. Ebi Yeibo — Cantos of a Capsized Canoe

3. Jide Salawu — Contraband Bodies

2. ANA/KING DAKOLO PRIZE FOR FICTION

1. Yejide Kilanko — In Our Own Ways

2. Onyikan Braithwaite — Cursed Daughters

3. Onyeka Nwelue — Murder in Orania

3. ANA PRIZE FOR DRAMA

1. Uzo Nwamara — Eye of the Emperor

2. Selome Medemaku — The Throne of Silence

3. Bolaji Olatunde — Life Less Abundant

4. ANA/AMINA TALAKU ZAKAMA PRIZE FOR LITERARY CRITICISM

1. Onyebuchi Nwosu — “Poetic Kaleidoscope: Portrayal of Judicial Corruption in Niyi Osundare’s ‘My Lord, Tell Me Where to Keep Your Bribe.’”

2. Barthlomew Chizoba Akpah — “Negotiating Nigeria’s Cohesion and the Rhetoric of Herdsmen Attack in Ahmed Yerima’s Hendu.”

3. Ekikerebong Aniekan Usoro — “Postcolonialism in Transition: From Counter Discourse to Non-Counter Discourse in Joe Ushie’s Yawns and Belches.”

5. ANA/SIR CHUKWUEMEKA SAM NWELUE PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION

1. Al-Bishak — Humility Sparks Progress

2. Chude Jideonwo — How Depression Saved My Life

6. ANA/NGOZI CHUMA-UDEH PRIZE FOR CHILDREN FICTION

1. Amaechi Odimeze — Avarice

2. Foluke Sijuwola Falayi — Beans for Supper

3. Amaka Confidence Obinwogu — Friends till Friday

7. HRM EZE M. O. KANU/ANA PRIZE FOR YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE

1. Erhu Kome — The Smoke that Thunders

2. Peter Adah — A Twist of Fate

3. Bola Tijani — Aremu in Trouble

8. CHINUA ACHEBE PRIZE FOR LITERATURE

1. Dexter Loko — The Bako of Zereshe

2. Henry Akubuiro — No Place Like Home

3. Oyedikachi Uzozie Nmezi — Chikoba

The ANA Literary Prizes constitute one of the Association’s longstanding platforms for recognising excellence in Nigerian writing. Over the years, the prizes have provided opportunities for writers working in different genres to gain visibility and for significant works of Nigerian literature to receive wider recognition.

Beyond the recognition attached to individual awards, the ANA Literary Prizes contribute to the wider literary ecosystem by drawing attention to authors and books, encouraging readership and creating a platform for writers, publishers, critics, academics and literary enthusiasts to engage with contemporary Nigerian writing.

The prizes also serve as a record of the development of Nigerian literature, bringing together established and emerging voices while reflecting changing literary interests, experiences and perspectives across generations.

The presentation of the prizes at the ANA International Annual Convention gives the awards a wider cultural significance, bringing writers, academics, publishers, literary enthusiasts and other stakeholders together to celebrate Nigerian literature and its continuing contribution to the cultural and intellectual life of the nation.

The shortlisted authors will now proceed to the final stage of the competition, with the winners expected to be announced during the Awards Dinner at the 2026 ANA International Annual Convention, scheduled for 29 October to 1 November 2026.

The Association of Nigerian Authors congratulates all the shortlisted writers and acknowledges the literary value represented by the works that have made the final lists. Their recognition underscores the continuing vitality of Nigerian literature and the important role of writers in shaping the country’s cultural and intellectual landscape.