Two Nigerian Authors on 9mobile Prize for Literature Shortlist 2018

Nigeria’s telecommunications company, 9mobile has announced the three shortlisted books for the 2018 edition of its flagship Pan-African literary prize, the 9mobile Prize for Literature. Amongst these are two Nigerian authors. The three shortlisted titles are Stay with Me by Nigeria’s Ayobami Adebayo; What it Means When a Man Falls Down From the Sky by Lesley Nneka Arimah, also a Nigerian; and Asylum by Marcus Low, from South Africa.

This shortlist announcement follows the longlist unveiled in December 2017, which featured nine books chosen by the judges: Nigerian academic and poet Harry Garuba (Chair), Ugandan writer Doreen Baingana, and South African writer Siphiwo Mahala.

The winner will be announced during the Grand Finale event to be held this year. The chair of judges, Professor Harry Garuba, observed that the three authors were selected after a thorough, objective and painstaking review of their books, “coming from young African writers – fresh storylines, intriguing plots and characters you would want to meet in real life.”

“We are happy to have reached this stage,” he continued. “Knowing the high standards desired by the 9mobile Prize for Literature, we ensured that the adjudication process was objective, while upholding quality and relevance. We congratulate 9mobile and the shortlisted writers, and note that the entire exercise we went through gives us a glimpse of an even more promising and rewarding literary industry for African writers.”

Director, Brand and Experience, 9mobile, Elvis Ogiemwanye, expressed satisfaction that every stage of the 2018 9mobile Prize for Literature has been inspiring. He further commended the judges and patrons for their diligence; while restating the company’s support for African literature.

He said: “We at 9mobile have always been amazed by the resilience and commitment of writers on the continent in spite of the huge challenges they face.’’

The winner of the 9mobile Prize will receive £15,000, an engraved Montblanc Meisterstück pen, and a 9mobilesponsored fellowship at the University of East Anglia, where he or she will be mentored by renowned literature teacher Professor Giles Foden, author of The Last King of Scotland. All three finalists will have copies of their books purchased by 9mobile for distribution to schools, libraries and book clubs across Africa. This is in fulfilment of the company’s goal of making books available across the continent, and developing the publishing industry.

9mobile Prize for Literature is the first pan-African literary Prize that celebrates debut African writers of published fiction. It is open solely to writers from African countries, resident anywhere in the world.

Zimbabwe’s NoViolet Bulawayo won the inaugural edition of the prize in 2013 with We Need New Names, and South African novelist Songeziwe Mahlangu won with Penumbra in 2014. Fiston Mwanza Mujila from the Democratic Republic of Congo won in 2015 with Tram 83, and in 2017 Nigeria’s Jowhor Ilewon for his first book And After Many Days.