Nigerian writer, Ogaga Ifowodo, has won the 2026 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Literature, receiving the $100,000 cash award sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG).
Ifowodo was announced as the winner at the Grand Award Night held on Friday, October 9, at Eko Hotels, Lagos. The announcement was made by the prize’s Advisory Board, led by Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo.
He clinched the prestigious award with his book, Why Does God Need a Gun?, emerging ahead of two other finalists, James Ngwu-Eze, whose entry was Unbind Me Now, and Tares Oburumu, author of Flora’s Love Colony.
The award is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most prominent literary prizes, recognising outstanding literary works by Nigerian authors. The winner receives a cash prize of $100,000.
Established in 2004, The Nigeria Prize for Literature promotes literary excellence and celebrates the contributions of Nigerian writers to the country’s literary heritage.
The prize rotates annually among four genres: poetry, prose fiction, drama and children’s literature, completing the cycle every four years.
