Prominent Nigerian literary figures have called for a fundamental transformation of the country’s literary awards system, arguing that prizes must evolve beyond monetary recognition to provide sustainable career support for writers. The call came during the fourth edition of Writers’ Hub’s Monthly Panel Discussion held Saturday, August 23, 2025, where award-winning authors, critics, and literary administrators gathered virtually to examine the role of literary awards in Nigeria’s creative landscape.
Thank you for reading this post; don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel here!
Distinguished Panel Discusses Award Evolution
The 90-minute Google Meet session, moderated by intellectual property law expert Bentex Torlafia, brought together some of Nigeria’s most influential literary voices to discuss “Redefining the Purpose, Process, and Role of Literary Awards in Creative Growth.”
The current National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) and Senior Lecturer at the University of Ilorin, Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi, stated that literary prizes must serve as “instruments of cultural preservation, identity building, and creative motivation” rather than mere recognition events.
Joining him was Denja Abdullahi, a celebrated poet and former ANA president who served the organisation for 26 years in various capacities including the presidency from 2015 to 2019. Abdullahi, who previously held the position of Director at the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), stressed the need for awards to amplify diverse cultural narratives.
Award-winning novelist Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, whose debut novel “Season of Crimson Blossoms” won the 2016 NLNG Prize for Literature, brought a winner’s perspective to the discussion. His latest work, “When We Were Fireflies,” is among 11 titles longlisted for the 2025 NLNG Prize. Ibrahim reflected on how prizes can be transformative but also create pressure on writers to “maintain prize-level standards.”
Key Reform Proposals Emerge
The panelists identified several critical areas requiring reform in Nigeria’s literary awards landscape:
- Transparency and Credibility: Speakers noted the urgent need for transparent judging processes and fair jury practices to maintain public confidence in literary awards.
- Inclusivity Concerns: The discussion highlighted barriers preventing grassroots and emerging writers from accessing major awards, with calls for wider outreach initiatives.
- Sustainable Support Systems: Beyond cash prizes, panelists advocated for awards to provide publishing opportunities, writing residencies, mentorships, and long-term career support. Dr. Akanbi’s Imodoye Writers’ Enclave was cited as a model of how awards can extend their impact through residential programmes.
- Creative Conformity Risks: The panel acknowledged that awards can inadvertently encourage conformity as writers attempt to anticipate “what wins,” potentially stifling literary innovation.
- Audience Engagement and Future Directions
The session attracted impressive participation from writers, scholars, and literary enthusiasts who actively contributed through questions and chat interactions. Participants particularly resonated with calls for greater inclusivity and sustainability in the award ecosystem.
The discussion concluded with recommendations for government and cultural council support, innovative partnerships with publishers and sponsors, and the development of institutional frameworks that nurture writers year-round rather than spotlight winners annually.
Recommendations for Literary Community
Event coordinator Sumaila Isah Umaisha and moderator Bentex Torlafia outlined several recommendations following the discussion. One of which was that future panels should include publishers, sponsors, and policymakers to broaden reform perspectives beyond the writing community.
The Writers’ Hub Monthly Panel Series continues to serve as a platform for addressing topical literary issues, with the August edition marking a significant contribution to ongoing conversations about the future of literary recognition in Nigeria.
The next edition is expected to build on these discussions as Nigeria’s literary community works toward creating a more inclusive and sustainable awards ecosystem.
Follow the AkweyaTV channel on WhatsApp: http://bit.ly/3I7mQVx
Or scan the QR code:
