Olushola Omogbehin
Oyindamola Olugbile, a Nigerian-born author and cultural storyteller, has been announced the winner of the 2025 Nigeria Prize for Literature for her book, “Sanya.”
She defeated Chigozie Obioma’s “The Road to the Country” and Nikki May’s “This Motherless Land,” to clinched this prize which is one of Africa’s most prestigious literary honour valued at $100,000
The announcement was made on 10th October 2025 at the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) Grand Award Night in Lagos by the chairman of Advisory Board for the Prize, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo.
Revealing the winner out of the 252 novels submitted for the NLNG-sponsored Prize, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, said Olugbile’s mythology retelling approach was unique and daring for casting Sango as a female and for the projection of Yoruba mythology through a story that captivates and meanders into a fantastical world.
According to her, Olugbile achieved this in a clear and straightforward language, thereby making it easy to read. Other considerations by the prize judges include “technique,” “subject matter,” and “social relevance.” The novel also draws on Yoruba mythology to explore themes of prophecy, love, power, and destiny.
“We were impressed by the quality of the shortlisted books written by three writers with diverse backgrounds and experiences. The books, Sanya by Oyin Olugbile; The Road to the Country by Chigozie Obioma, both published by Masobe Books; and This Motherless Land by Nikki May, published by Narrative Landscape, indicate an improvement in the quality of local publishing.
“After much careful assessments and deliberations, we concluded that very little separates the novels and each is a potential winner of the award. However, Oyin Olugbile’s Sanya slightly takes the edge and is therefore our pick as the winner of the 2025 The Nigeria Prize for Literature,” she stated.
Oyin Olugbile is a Nigerian writer, social impact management consultant and educator. She is a graduate of Creative Arts from the University of Lagos. She also holds an MSc in Leadership and Development from King’s College London, alongside postgraduate certifications from Lagos Business School, Harvard Business School Online and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance. “Sanya” is her debut novel.
Okwudiri Anasiudu was announced as the winning entry for The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism. Anasiudu won for his submissions titled Afropolitan Identity and Afrodiasporic Otherness in Selected African Novels; Allegorical Conjectures in Helon Habila’s Measuring Time; and Mimetic designs in Helon Habila’s Oil on Water. The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism comes with a $10,000 prize money.
The managing director and chief executive officer of NLNG, Philip Mshelbila, highlighted the enduring influence of literature by describing The Nigeria Prize for Literature as “a reminder of the power of words to shape identity and deepen understanding. Winning the Prize is recognition of scaling the highest heights of literature,” he said.
He disclosed as well that, The Nigeria Prize for Science will be renamed ‘The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation,’ which he said reflects NLNG’s belief that progress depends as much on creativity and fresh thinking as on technology and infrastructure.
Mshelbila announced as well that NLNG would be resting The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism and introducing a new Prize category ‘The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts,’ which will focus on Documentary Film.
He believed that the new Prize would inspire a new generation of storytellers to inform, challenge, and connect Nigerians more deeply to who they are as a nation and who they can become.
Unveiling a new book “Voices of Our Leaders,” a commemorative book on NLNG’s history and progress over many years, he said the book captures the voices of some of those who have guided NLNG’s journey from dream to reality
The Nigeria Prize for Literature is the most prestigious and largest literature prize in Africa and one of the most esteemed in the world. Every year, the winner receives a grand prize of $100,000.
