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*Beyond Tarkwa Bay by Peter Oghenetega Oke and Mara Mania by Feranmi Abiola share the Creative Arts Honor
Why Does God Need a Gun by Ogaga Ifowodo? won the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Literature, securing one of Africa’s most prestigious literary awards and its $100,000 cash prize.
Meanwhile, Peter Oghenetega Oke’s Beyond Tarkwa Bay and Feranmi Abiola’s Mara Mania have been named ex aequo winners of the inaugural edition of the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, which carries a cash prize of $20,000.
The winners were announced at the NLNG Grand Award Night in Lagos on Friday 9 October 2026.
The winning poetry collection was selected from 223 submissions, while the two winning documentaries emerged from 98 submissions for the Creative Arts Award.
Announcing the literature winner, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the Nigeria Prize for Literature, described Why Does God Need a Gun? as a sensitive portrait of religious and political violence in Nigeria, told through the voice of a fictional victim.
Her praise extended to all three selected collections, which she said stood out for the poets’ technical skill, confidence and mature use of language. Beyond individual strengths, he highlighted the shared themes that connect the works:
“Equally compelling is the conversation that takes place in the three books. While distinct in voice and style, they address related concerns: questions of identity and belonging; the promises and disappointments of the nation; the consequences of extremism and displacement; and the lasting impact of conflict on individuals and communities. These are works deeply rooted in the Nigerian experience, but reaching far beyond our borders.”
Speaking about the five shortlisted documentaries, Joel Kachi Benson, Technical Advisor to the Advisory Committee for the Nigeria Prize for the Creative Arts, praised the films for going beyond capturing reality to challenge perceptions and foster deeper human connections. He highlighted their ability to bring overlooked communities and experiences into focus:
“These documentaries have transported us to often invisible communities. They have amplified voices too often unheard. They celebrate resilience, document culture, preserve memory, and reveal perspectives that enrich our understanding of who we are.”
The literature and creative arts achievements followed the September 2026 announcement of Mary-Brenda Akoda as the winner of the Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation. Its winning innovation, GenScan AI (GenMRI/C-MORE), is an artificial intelligence (AI)-based solution that accelerates magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The award made Akoda the first Gen Z winner and the first woman to win as an individual winner.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, Adeleye Falade, in her opening remarks, said the Nigeria Awards were established to recognize outstanding achievements and encourage scientific innovation and literary excellence that enrich society and improve lives. He noted that the Science and Innovation Award recognized innovative contributions in critical fields, including health, agriculture, engineering, energy, technology, climate resilience and sustainable development.
“It celebrated the ingenuity, dedication and brilliance of scientists whose work extends far beyond labs and research papers to provide practical solutions that improve lives,” he said, adding that this year’s winning work, focusing on artificial intelligence and information technology, had the potential to transform lives in Nigeria and around the world.
Speaking about the Nigeria Prize for Literature, he said it has grown to become one of Africa’s most prestigious literary awards, attracting widespread interest and providing a platform for some of the continent’s best literary voices. “Through this award, Nigerian writers have demonstrated that our stories are much more than simply accounts of our origins. They contribute significantly to global conversations about identity, resilience and our common humanity,” he said.
He described the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts as another platform to recognize and celebrate originality, authenticity and creative excellence. He explained that the award honors artists who preserve Nigeria’s heritage by reinventing it for a new generation. “Together, the Nigeria Awards have become enduring national institutions and a powerful reminder of what is possible when excellence is recognised, rewarded and encouraged,” he said.
He praised the finalists and winners for embodying these ideals, noting that their achievements demonstrated that excellence is never accidental. Each finalist, he said, represented discipline and dedication, while each winner represented the triumph of perseverance. “As we honor this year’s winners, we also hope to inspire the next generation of scientists, writers and creatives whose ideas will solve tomorrow’s challenges, tell tomorrow’s stories and shape tomorrow’s future,” he added.
In his speech, Professor Wole Soyinka highlighted imagination as a vital link between literature, creative arts and science. He noted that imagination is not limited to the humanities, as disciplines such as mathematics and physics also depend on vision and the ability to conceive of new possibilities.
Linking the fields celebrated by the awards, he called for closer collaboration between the humanities and sciences in the service of humanity. He urged both to expand the boundaries of imagination and join forces to build a better world, with human well-being at the center of creative expression and scientific progress.
Through the Nigeria Awards, NLNG reaffirms its commitment to recognizing excellence and inspiring a sustainable future.
*Sofia Horsfall
General Director, External Relations and Sustainable Development
Contacts for requests:
Iwokiri Aprioku
[email protected]
