Ogaga Ifowodo’s New Poetry Collection Confronts Faith, Violence and Memory

Poet, lawyer and activist Ogaga Ifowodo is among the three finalists for the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Literature with Why Does God Need A Gun? The collection emerged from 223 entries and examines religious fanaticism, intolerance and the consequences of treating belief as a weapon. A central sequence draws on the ordeal of Leah Sharibu, who was abducted from her school in Dapchi, Yobe State, in 2018. Ifowodo presents her as a composite voice for victims of terrorism, using poetry to preserve their agency, fears and humanity. The book also explores religious exploitation, gender inequality, political violence and conflicts beyond Nigeria, including Gaza. Its central question is whether faith can be used to deny others their dignity, freedom and right to be remembered.

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