Oyin Olugbile was announced as the winner of the 2025 Nigeria Prize for Literature on October 10, 2025, during a ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Nigeria Prize for Literature is Africa’s most prestigious and lucrative literary award, rotating among four genres: prose fiction, poetry, drama, and children’s literature.

This year’s competition was highly competitive, with entries demonstrating exceptional creativity and high standards of excellence.

The advisory board, led by Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, praised the finalists for their mastery of language, storytelling, and engagement with societal issues.

Olugbile received $100,000 for her winning book ‘Sanya,’ which was selected in the prose fiction category with the theme ‘Inspire.’

The judging panel, chaired by Associate Professor Saeedat Bolajoko Aliyu, highlighted that the shortlisted works reflect culturally relevant themes and are both entertaining and instructive.

Judges described ‘Sanya’ as a fascinating novel with a captivating plot and praised Olugbile’s mastery of pacing and intrigue.