Nigerians dominate 2021 African Writers Awards longlist

Works from 25 Nigerians are among the 40 works for the 2021 African Writers Awards Longlist. The long list was released in a statement by the African Writers Development Trust (AWDT), Writers Space Africa Foundation and Writers Space Africa – Tanzania (WSA-Tz) and signed by the Chief Judge of 2021 African Writers Awards, Anthony Onugba.

Onugba said the panel received more entries in all genres than last year.

The prize has three genres - Creative non-fiction, drama and poetry.

He said, “All entries had in their own way, an emblem of richness and morale. Several blended idealism with realism. Some conveyed creatively the bridge between the past and the future, while others dwelled only in the future. In all, every piece carried with it a spark of excellence, creativity, and awe.”

Onugba said the shortlist would be released on the first of September and winners announced during the fourth African Writers Conference on the 9th of October in Dar es Salam, Tanzania.

Among the works from Nigerians in the creative non-fiction genre are ‘A

Future Created by Africa for Africa’ by Ifem Chiemerie Bonaventure, ‘Adetutu’ by Adedoyin Adetutu, ‘Olugbon Lodge’ by Aanuoluwapo John Adesina and ‘The Capital of God’s Own State’ by Blessing O. Nwodo.

Among the five works from a Nigerian in the drama genre are ‘Right in the Middle’ by Akinkunle Johnson, ‘Stones on this Side’ by Chibuenyim Babalola, and ‘The Seventh Child’ by Omotayo Olaoye.

In the poetry genre, ‘A Bright Morrow Looms’ by C. M. Okonkwo, ‘All You See, All You Don’t See Poem’ by Joseph Olamide Babalola and ‘No Other Miracle’ by AbigailTydale Bassey were among 10 works from Nigerians in the poetry genre.

In 2020, Nigerians claimed the prizes in the three genres. ‘Each Little Win’ by Oladejo Oluyemisi won the creative nonfiction category while the drama genre was won by Asoloko Gloria Akayi’s ‘Who Knows Amanda.’ ‘Ode to The Blackbird (Haiku)’ by Duru Nneka Joyce won the poetry genre.