# 2026 Nigeria Prize for Literature awards

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/2026-nigeria-prize-for-literature-awards
> Updated: 2026-10-12T05:03:51.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2.

Ogaga Ifowodo was awarded the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Literature for his poetry collection, ‘Why Does God Need a Gun?’. Sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), the award includes a $100,000 cash prize.

Ifowodo, a poet, lawyer, and human-rights activist, was selected from 223 entries. His work, published by Masobe Books, explores themes of religious intolerance, terrorism, and political violence in Nigeria. The collection utilizes the experience of Leah Sharibu, a schoolgirl abducted by Boko Haram, to portray the suffering of victims. Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Chair of the Prize’s Advisory Board, characterized the collection as a “sensitive portrayal” of violence in the country.

In addition to the literature prize, the inaugural Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts was awarded to Peter Oghenetega Oke and Feranmi Abiola, who received a $20,000 award.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-12: Ogaga Ifowodo wins 2026 Nigeria Prize for Literature

Poet and activist Ogaga Ifowodo has won the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Literature with his collection ‘Why Does God Need a Gun?’, earning $100,000 for his work on religious and political violence.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ogaga-ifowodo-wins-2026-nigeria-prize-for-literature

### 2026-10-09: Ogaga Ifowodo wins $100,000 Nigeria Prize for Literature

Ogaga Ifowodo won the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Literature ($100,000) for his poetry collection ‘Why Does God Need a Gun?’, while Peter Oghenetega Oke and Feranmi Abiola won the first Creative Arts prize.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ogaga-ifowodo-wins-100000-nigeria-prize-for-literature

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Cite as: 2026 Nigeria Prize for Literature awards. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/2026-nigeria-prize-for-literature-awards