The 2025 Nigeria Prize for Literature is a literary award worth given for the best English-language novel published by a Nigerian author. The winner, Oyin Olugbile for her novel Sanya, was announced on 10 October 2025 at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos.
Focused on prose fiction, there were 252 entries during the submission space. The jury consisted of Saeedat Bolajoko Aliyu, the chairman, Stephen Mbanefo Ogene, and Olakunle Kasumu. On 26 July 2025, 11 books were longlisted and were announced by Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, the chairman of the advisory board. Chika Unigwe and Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, who won the prize in 2012 and 2016 respectively were among the longlist.
On 30 August 2025, the shortlist was released and it contained only three books; This Motherless Land by Nikki May, The Road to the Country by Chigozie Obioma and Sanya by Oyin Olugbile. On 10 October 2025, Oyin Olugbile was announced as the winner for her novel Sanya.
Judging panel Saeedat Bolajoko Aliyu (chair) Stephen Mbanefo Ogene Olakunle Kasumu
Nominees Source:
Author Title Publisher Chigozie Obioma The Road to the Country Random House Publishing Group Yewande Omotoso An Unusual Grief Cassava Republic Press Linda MasiFine Dreams University of Massachusetts Press Michael Afenfia Leave My Bones in Saskatoon Griots Lounge Canada Uwem AkpanNew York My Village W. W. Norton & Company Ayo Oyeku Petrichor: The Scent of a New Beginning Eleventh House publishers Chika Unigwe The Middle Daughter Dzanc Books Oyin Olugbile Sanya Masobe Books Chioma Okereke Water Baby Quercus Abubakar Adam Ibrahim When We Were Fireflies Masobe Books Nikki May This Motherless Land Mariner Books
See also List of winners and nominated authors of the Nigerian Prize for Literature
References