– By Jonah Okpabi
The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has released the shortlist for the 2026 ANA Prizes for Literature, with prominent Nigerian authors making the cut across various categories.
Among those shortlisted is Mr. Uzo Nwamara, a former Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Rivers State Branch, whose play, Eye of the Emperor, has been shortlisted for the ANA Prize for Drama.
Other shortlisted authors, in no particular order, are:
- ANA/KMVL PRIZE FOR POETRY
- Abraham Aondoana -Songs for a Burning Continent
- Ebi Yeibo- Cantos of a Capsized Canoe
- Jide Salawu- Contraband Bodies
- ANA/KING DAKOLO PRIZE FOR FICTION
- Yejide Kilanko- In Our Own Ways
- Onyikan Braithwaite – Cursed Daughters
- Onyeka Nwelue- Murder in Orania
- ANA PRIZE FOR DRAMA
- Uzo Nwamara- Eye of the Emperor
- Selome Medemaku- The Throne of Silence
- Bolaji Olatunde- Life Less Abundant
- ANA/AMINA TALAKU ZAKAMA PRIZE FOR LITERARY CRITICISM
- Onyebuchi Nwosu- “Poetic Kaleidoscope: Portrayal of Judicial Corruption in Niyi Osundare’s My Lord, Tell Me Where to Keep Your Bribe.”
- Barthlomew Chizoba Akpah- “Negotiating Nigeria’s Cohesion and the Rhetoric of Herdsmen Attack in Ahmed Yerima’s Hendu.”
- Ekikerebong Aniekan Usoro- “Postcolonialism in Transition: From Counter Discourse to Non-Counter Discourse in Joe Ushie’s Yawns and Belches.”
- ANA/SIR CHUKWUEMEKA SAM NWELUE PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION
- Al-Bishak- Humility Sparks Progress
- Chude Jideonwo- How Depression Saved My Life
- ANA/NGOZI CHUMA-UDEH PRIZE FOR CHILDREN’S FICTION
- Amaechi Odimeze – Avarice
- Foluke Sijuwola Falayi- Beans for Supper
- Amaka Confidence Obinwogu- Friends till Friday
- HRM EZE M. O. KANU/ANA PRIZE FOR YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE
- Erhu Kome- The Smoke that Thunders
- Peter Adah- A Twist of Fate
- Bolaji Tijani- Adamu in Trouble
- CHINUA ACHEBE PRIZE FOR LITERATURE
- Dexter Loko- The Bako of Zereshe
- Henry Akubuiro- No Place Like Home
- Oyedikachi Uzozie Nmezi- Chikoba
The shortlisted works will proceed to the next stage of the 2026 ANA Prizes for Literature, one of Nigeria’s notable platforms for recognising excellence in literary production across different genres. The winners will be announced on 31 October 2026 during the 45th ANA International Convention, scheduled to hold at the Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village, Maitama Extension, Mpape, Abuja.