The 5 Biggest Literary Awards In Nigeria

1. The Nigeria Prize for Literature (NLNG Prize)

Founded: 2004

Sponsor: Nigeria LNG (NLNG)

Prize Value: US$100,000*

Scope: Fiction, Poetry, Drama, Children’s Literature (rotates annually)

This is Nigeria’s most prestigious and most lucrative literary award. Often described as the biggest literary prize in Africa by monetary value, it has helped place Nigerian writers on the global map. Past winners include **Helon Habila, Sefi Atta, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim,* and *Esiaba Irobi*. Winning the NLNG Prize is widely seen as a career-defining moment.

2. Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Literary Prizes

Founded: 1981 (ANA itself founded by Chinua Achebe)

Scope: Multiple categories — prose, poetry, drama, children’s literature, and young writers

ANA prizes are among the oldest and most respected* in the country. While the cash rewards are modest compared to the NLNG Prize, ANA awards carry strong peer credibility and have helped launch the careers of many Nigerian writers. They remain a key marker of literary seriousness.

3. The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism (NLNG)*

Founded: 2012

Sponsor: Nigeria LNG (NLNG)

Prize Value:US$10,000

This award is unique in Nigeria because it focuses on literary criticism, not creative writing. It recognises essays and scholarly works that deepen understanding of Nigerian literature. By rewarding critics and scholars, the prize strengthens the intellectual ecosystem around writing, not just authorship.

4. The Nigeria Prize for Teen Literature*

Founded: 2018

Sponsor: Nigeria LNG (NLNG)

Prize Value: ₦1 million

Target Group: Secondary school students

This prize is one of Nigeria’s most important literacy-development initiatives. It encourages teenagers to read and write creatively at an early age and has been praised for nurturing the next generation of Nigerian writers. It reflects a deliberate investment in future literary talent.

5. The Etisalat Prize for Literature (later 9mobile Prize for Literature)*

Founded: 2013

Sponsor: Etisalat Nigeria (later 9mobile)

Scope: Debut fiction, flash fiction, short stories

Before it was suspended, this prize was one of the most influential awards for emerging writers in Nigeria and Africa. It offered international exposure, writing residencies, and mentorship. Winners and finalists went on to build strong literary careers, making the prize historically significant despite its discontinuation.

Why These Awards Matter

Together, these prizes:

Shape Nigeria’s literary canon

Support writers at different career stages

Encourage reading, writing, and critical thinking

Strengthen Nigeria’s cultural and intellectual capital

They also show that while Nigeria’s creative industries continue to grow, literature has long had structured systems of recognition and excellence something other creative sectors are still building toward.