Oyindamola Olugbile Wins 2025 NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature with Debut Novel ‘Sanya’
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News.

Nigerian-born author and cultural storyteller, Oyindamola Olugbile, has emerged as the winner of the 2025 Nigeria Prize for Literature, one of the nation’s most prestigious literary honours sponsored by the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG).

Her debut novel, “Sanya,” triumphed over works by acclaimed writers Chigozie Obioma (The Road to the Country) and Nikki May (This Motherless Land) to clinch the coveted $100,000 cash prize.

The announcement was made at a glittering ceremony on Friday night, October 10, 2025, at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, by the Advisory Board for the Prize chaired by Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo.

A Celebration of Literary Excellence

According to Akahi News, the Nigeria Prize for Literature, founded in 2004, celebrates exceptional literary craftsmanship and continues to inspire generations of African writers.

Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo described this year’s adjudication process as “intense, rigorous, and meticulous,” noting that the eleven longlisted entries displayed outstanding creativity, depth, and mastery of language.

“Each work distinguishes itself through masterful plotting, characterisation, and a good command of language that transports readers into imagined worlds,” she said.
“These are not merely stories; they are carefully woven realities — compelling in their beauty, stirring the limit of imagination.”

The Story Behind Sanya

In “Sanya,” Oyindamola Olugbile weaves a spellbinding tale exploring themes of dangerous love, loss, rediscovery, and spiritual transcendence. Set in a fantastical empire so enchanting even the Òrisà find it mesmerising, the book combines myth, emotional depth, and vivid imagery to create an unforgettable literary experience.

The novel’s unique storytelling style, rooted in Yoruba cosmology and modern realism, has been widely praised for pushing the boundaries of contemporary Nigerian fiction.

The Making of a Literary Star

A graduate of the University of Lagos, Olugbile holds a B.A. (Hons) in Creative Arts, along with postgraduate certificates from Lagos Business School, Harvard Business School Online, and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG).

She also earned an MSc from King’s College London and currently works as a Social Impact Management Consultant. Beyond literature, she serves as Chief Curator of The Experience Factory, an education enterprise curating transformative learning experiences for young people.

Her victory cements her reputation as one of Nigeria’s most promising literary voices and a symbol of the country’s growing global influence in arts and culture.

The Prize’s Growing Legacy

Akahi News gathered that the Nigeria Prize for Literature, established by NLNG in 2004, rotates among four literary genres — prose fiction, drama, poetry, and children’s literature — with an aim to reward excellence and stimulate interest in Nigerian writing.

Last year’s edition was won by Olubunmi Familoni for his novel “The Road Does Not End.”

The 2025 competition’s shortlist also featured celebrated names such as Yewande Omotoso, Uwem Akpan, Chika Unigwe, and Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, showcasing the diversity and richness of Nigerian storytelling.

A Triumph for Nigerian Literature

Oyindamola Olugbile’s win marks another defining moment for Nigeria’s literary landscape. Her voice, rich in cultural depth and artistic courage, reflects a new generation of writers redefining African narratives for the world.

As the literary community celebrates this milestone, many observers believe that “Sanya” will not only inspire more readers but also rekindle global appreciation for African mythological and emotional storytelling.

“Congratulations to Oyindamola Olugbile — a storyteller whose pen continues to remind the world that Nigerian literature is alive, vibrant, and unyielding.”

Akahi News — http://www.akahinews.org