CORA, NLNG Celebrate Literary Excellence at 2025 Nigeria Prize for Literature Book Party

Published By Jerry Adesewo On Jul 29, 2025

CORA, NLNG Celebrate Literary Excellence at 2025 Nigeria Prize for Literature Book Party

Jerry Adesewo

The Committee for Relevant Art (CORA), in collaboration with Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), is set to host the 16th edition of the CORA-NPL Book Party in honour of the 2025 Nigeria Prize for Literature (NPL) longlist. The event will take place on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, beginning at 1:00 PM. Attendance is strictly by invitation, though virtual participation is open to all literary enthusiasts.

Since its inception in 1996, the Book Party has evolved into a prestigious cultural platform that celebrates the finest voices in Nigerian literature. It serves as the first public engagement with the writers longlisted for the Nigeria Prize for Literature, which has grown into the continent’s most lucrative and esteemed literary honour since its inauguration by NLNG in 2004.

CORA Programme Officer Samuel Osaze, in a statement released Wednesday, described this year’s selection process as particularly demanding, with 252 entries received—a record-breaking number. “The NPL Advisory Board must have had the arduous task of narrowing down the entries to a longlist of 11. The result is a fiercely competitive field of heavyweight entries,” Osaze said.

He added, “The Book Party remains true to its purpose—placing these writers and their work under the spotlight of public discourse and critical appreciation. It is not just a celebration, but a forum for literary engagement.”

Explaining the broader objective, the CORA Programme Directorate emphasized that since 2010, the organisation has used the Book Party as a vehicle to spotlight outstanding literary voices and bring their works directly to readers and critics. “These eleven books represent the pinnacle of this year’s submissions. They are exceptional, and any of them could potentially win the coveted prize. Through the Book Party, we facilitate a unique conversation between author, audience, and the larger cultural landscape,” the statement read.

The Book Party serves as a prelude to the shortlist announcement and the grand unveiling of the eventual winner in October. It has become a vital space for recognising talent, building readership, and strengthening Nigeria’s literary ecosystem.

Below is a snapshot of the longlisted titles and their authors, whose profiles and synopses paint a vivid picture of a rich and diverse literary year:

When We Were Fireflies by Abubakar Adam Ibrahim
When brooding artist Yarima Lalo encounters a moving train for the first time, two events unfold: the triggering of memories of past lives—where he was twice murdered—and the meeting of Aziza, a woman with a complex past of her own. Together, they embark on a journey to uncover remnants of these past lives as Yarima faces a third looming death. Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, a creative writer and journalist, won the Nigeria Prize for Literature in 2016 with Season of Crimson Blossoms. His literary work, including The Whispering Trees and Dreams and Assorted Nightmares, has earned him widespread acclaim across Africa and beyond.
More at: https://masobebooks.com/ng/book/when-we-were-fireflies/

Petrichor, The Scent of a New Beginning by Ayo Oyeku
Set in 1976, young Jola’s life is upended by abuse at the hands of a white missionary. After escaping and facing unimaginable tragedy, Jola finds love and purpose decades later in democratic Nigeria. Ayo Oyeku, a multiple award-winning author, is a Humanitarian Leadership Fellow and Ebedi International Residency Fellow. He is known for his contributions to children’s literature and his poetic reflections on survival and healing.
More at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Petrichor-Scent-Beginning-Ayo-Oyeku-ebook/

The Road to the Country by Chigozie Obioma
In 1960s Nigeria, Kunle searches for his missing brother as civil war breaks out, leading him to the Biafran army and a journey through trauma, love, and prophecy. Chigozie Obioma, twice shortlisted for the Booker Prize, is one of Africa’s most celebrated literary voices. He is the author of The Fishermen and An Orchestra of Minorities and currently teaches creative writing in the U.S.
More at: https://masobebooks.com/ng/book/the-road-to-the-country/

The Middle Daughter by Chika Unigwe
After losing family and falling into the hands of an abusive preacher-husband, 17-year-old Nani must reclaim her voice and future. Chika Unigwe, author of On Black Sisters’ Street, won the Nigeria Prize for Literature in 2012. Her academic and literary work has earned global recognition and translations into multiple languages.
More at: https://masobebooks.com/ng/book/the-middle-daughter/

Water Baby by Chioma Okereke
Set in Lagos’ floating slum, Makoko, 19-year-old Baby dreams of freedom and discovers unexpected paths through a viral drone-mapping project. Chioma Okereke is a multi-genre writer whose debut novel Bitter Leaf was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. She explores themes of identity and marginality in her work.
More at: https://masobebooks.com/ng/book/water-baby/

Fine Dreams by Linda N. Masi
A harrowing tale of four young female athletes abducted and forced into violence, Fine Dreams reclaims their story of hope and survival. Linda N. Masi is an award-winning author and academic whose work spans fiction, poetry, and education. She holds a PhD in English from Texas Tech University.
More at: https://books.google.com.ng/books/about/Fine_Dreams.html

Leave My Bones in Saskatoon by Michael Afenfia
As Owoicho prepares to emigrate to Canada, dark secrets threaten his plans and his daughter’s coming of age. Michael Afenfia, a two-time Chinua Achebe Prize finalist, explores migration and family through his transcontinental narratives.
More at: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123503348-leave-my-bones-in-saskatoon

This Motherless Land by Nikki May
Two cousins navigate personal and generational trauma across Nigeria and England, discovering love, loss, and identity. Nikki May, author of Wahala, is an Anglo-Nigerian novelist with a growing media footprint including an upcoming BBC adaptation.
More at: https://www.narrativelandscape.com/product/this-motherless-land/

Sanya by Oyin Olugbile
Born different and marked by a dark prophecy, Sanya’s journey through loss and magical realism unravels a battle for identity and soul. Oyin Olugbile is a cultural storyteller and award-winning author known for her powerful reimaginings of African myths and spiritual legacy.
More at: https://masobebooks.com/ng/book/sanya/

New York, My Village by Uwem Akpan
Nigerian editor Ekong faces racism and alienation in New York, set against the backdrop of Biafran history. Uwem Akpan’s Say You’re One of Them was an Oprah Book Club pick and a bestseller. He is an acclaimed storyteller and fellow at several literary institutes.
More at: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/56783758-new-york-my-village

An Unusual Grief by Yewande Omotoso
After her daughter’s death, Mojisola dives into the hidden layers of her life, uncovering strength in grief. Yewande Omotoso is an architect and novelist whose works have been recognised with awards and fellowships across the globe.
More at: https://www.yewandeomotoso.com/