The vibrant Grand Ballroom of the Lagos Continental Hotel was alive with excitement as the Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA) hosted the much-anticipated book party for the longlisted authors of the 2025 NLNG Prize for Literature on August 3, 2025. This annual event, sponsored by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), celebrates the richness of Nigerian prose fiction and aims to promote a culture of reading among Nigerians.
Out of 252 entries submitted, the esteemed panel of judges longlisted 11 remarkable works of prose fiction. The authors honored at the event included
- Yewande Omotoso for An Unusual Grief,
- Linda N. Masi with Fine Dreams,
- Michael Afenfa for Leave My Bones in Saskatoon,
- Uwem Akpan’s New York My Village,
- Ayo Oyeku’s Petrichor,
- The Scent of a New Beginning,
- Oyin Olugbile’s SANYA,
- Chika Unigwe’s The Middle Daughter,
- Chogozie Obioma’s The Road to the Country,
- Nikki May’s The Motherless Land,
- Chioma Okereke’s Water Baby, and
- Abubakar Adam Ibrahim’s When We Were Fireflies.
The evening began with a heartfelt welcome address by Mr. Toyin Akinosho, the founder and General Secretary of CORA. Akinosho expressed his deep gratitude towards NLNG for their unwavering support of the arts over the past decade. He emphasized the importance of corporate social responsibility, stating, “We are here because a profitable Nigerian gas company decided that a share of its profit should enable the Nigerian reading space.” He also congratulated NLNG on their expansion efforts, highlighting the positive impact of the global gas market on their ability to continue sponsoring the prize.
The event featured an engaging audio presentation of excerpts from the eleven nominated books, allowing attendees to immerse themselves in the diverse narratives that represent contemporary Nigerian literature.
Speakers at the event included Professor Segun Ojewuyi, a distinguished professor of Theatre Art at Southern Illinois University, who commended NLNG for their support and urged other corporate organizations in Nigeria to follow suit. “It is imperative for corporate bodies to contribute to the cultural landscape of Nigeria,” he remarked.
The evening also featured the charismatic Mr. Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba. The renowned comedian and actor expressed his appreciation for the event and the role of NLNG in promoting the arts. He emphasized the importance of nurturing a reading culture among the youth, stating, “A mind that can read and comprehend will become inquisitive and will learn and unlearn and learn more.”
The 2025 NLNG Prize for Literature book party not only celebrated the literary talents of Nigerian writers but also reinforced the critical role of corporate sponsorship in fostering a rich cultural environment. As the night drew to a close, it was clear that the commitment to literature and the arts remains a vital part of Nigeria’s narrative, thanks to the efforts of organizations like NLNG and CORA. The winner of the 2025 edition will be determined in October 2025 at another event. The Beacon Nigeria Newspaper congratulates all the 11 longlisted writers and wish them all the best in the coming days and months before the grand finale in October.
