Nigerian poet and activist Ayo Ayoola-Amale has been named the winner of the 2024 Justo Bolekia Boleká International Prize for African Literature, awarded by Spain’s Sial Pigmalión Publishing Group for her work “The Suns Chased Us” and her distinguished literary career.
The award, which recognises African and Afro-descendant authors’ contributions to poetry, narrative, essays, and translation, was unanimously decided by an international jury chaired by the prize’s namesake, Spanish-African academic Justo Bolekia Boleká.
Ayoola-Amale’s winning collection, “The Suns Chased Us,” comprises 100 poems across seven sections, exploring themes of African identity and universal humanity. Professor Boleká praised the work as “an invitation to leave one’s own cultural enclosure and recognize oneself in a new space.”
Born in Jos, Nigeria, in 1970, Ayoola-Amale has established herself as a multifaceted artist and activist. She has authored six poetry volumes, founded the Splendors of Dawn Poetry Foundation, and co-founded Poets of the Planet, which promotes poetry as a tool for social change. Her work has been featured at major international events, including the Berlin Literature Festival and the Medellín International Poetry Festival.
“The recognition highlights not just literary excellence but the power of creative expression in promoting peace and global understanding,” said a spokesperson for the publishing group.
The prize, established in 2017, has become a significant platform for promoting African literature in the Spanish-speaking world.
The winning work will be published in the “Casa de África” collection and showcased at the Madrid Book Fair, as well as at literary events across Europe, Africa, and America.
The selection panel included distinguished judges from various countries, including Joana Boampong (Ghana), Rosemary Clark (South Africa), and Maïmouna Sankhé (Senegal), reflecting the award’s international scope and commitment to cultural diversity.
Ayoola-Amale’s victory marks another milestone in her career dedicated to using art as a medium for addressing social justice, human rights, and environmental issues. Her work has previously been exhibited at global forums such as COP27 and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
The award continues to strengthen its role as a bridge between African literature and international audiences, particularly in Spanish-speaking communities, while celebrating the diverse voices shaping contemporary African literature.
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