Ogaga Ifowodo has won the 2026 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Literature with his poetry collection, ‘Why Does God Need a Gun?’, earning the $100,000 prize, while Peter Oghenetega Oke and Feranmi Abiola emerged joint winners of the inaugural Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts.

🇳🇬 Here's What Happened

The winners were announced at NLNG’s Grand Award Night in Lagos State on Friday, in a statement signed by the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall on Saturday.

“Ifowodo’s winning collection emerged from 223 entries, while Oke’s Beyond Tarkwa Bay and Abiola’s Mara Mania jointly won the creative arts prize, which carries a $20,000 award.”

The Nigeria Prize for Literature is one of Africa’s most prestigious literary honours, recognising outstanding literary works by Nigerian writers. The inaugural creative arts award, meanwhile, seeks to celebrate originality and excellence in artistic expression.

📌 Key Details

Speaking on the winning poetry collection, the Chairman of the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, described Why Does God Need a Gun? as a sensitive portrayal of religious and political violence in Nigeria through the voice of an imagined victim.

She also praised the three shortlisted collections for their technical skill, confidence and mature use of language, noting that they explored issues extending beyond Nigeria’s borders.

“Equally compelling is the conversation that unfolds across the three books. Though distinct in voice and style, they engage with related concerns: questions of identity and belonging; the promises and disappointments of nationhood; the consequences of extremism and displacement; and the enduring impact of conflict on individuals and communities,” she said.

“These are works deeply rooted in the Nigerian experience, yet they reach far beyond our borders.”

For the creative arts category, the two winning documentaries emerged from 98 submissions, with the organisers recognising their ability to document communities, preserve cultural memory and present overlooked experiences.

The Technical Adviser to the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, Joel Kachi Benson, said the shortlisted documentaries demonstrated the power of film to challenge perceptions and deepen understanding of society.

📰 Source: Punch Nigeria