Eze, Ifowodo and Oburumu Shortlisted for 2026 Nigeria Prize for Literature

James Ngwu Eze, Ogaga Ifowodo and Tares Oburumu have been named the three finalists for the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Literature, which carries a $100,000 award. The finalists emerged from 223 entries submitted for this year’s poetry category. Eze was shortlisted for “Unbind Me Now”, Ifowodo for “Why Does God Need a Gun?” and Oburumu for “Flora’s Love Colony”. The three books had earlier made an 11-title longlist announced in July. The advisory board said the collections stood out for their originality, craftsmanship, thematic depth and engagement with contemporary realities. Eze’s work addresses sociopolitical dysfunction and redemption, Ifowodo examines religious and political violence, while Oburumu explores history, colonial memory and dominant narratives. The winner will be announced after the final round of assessment. The Nigeria Prize for Literature rotates among prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature, with poetry taking centre stage in 2026.

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