The 2023 SEVHAGE literary competition collated several exciting entries from across several corners of Africa. With four categories to showcase the multifaceted talent of African writers, the celebrated judges – led by multiple award-winning renowned author, scholar, and teacher, Professor Hyginus Ekwuazi – were once again reminded of the incredible depth and breadth of our continent’s literary prowess.

The prizes are in honour of distinguished professors and teachers in the field of literature, all of them accomplished writers and critics who have contributed to the growth of literature and criticism across the African continent. They are Professor Sule E. Egya (aka E. E. Sule), Professor Leticia Mbaiver Nyitse, Professor Maria Ajima, and Professor Hyginus O. Ekwuazi.

We are grateful to everyone who submitted entries for consideration of the various prizes.

After critical readings and reviews of the several entries submitted for the four categories of the SEVHAGE Literary Prizes, we are honoured to unveil the winners and runners-up for the SEVHAGE Prizes in the following categories:

1. E. E. SULE/SEVHAGE Prize for African Literary Criticism
2. SEVHAGE-Leticia Mbaiver Nyitse Prize for Short Fiction
3. SEVHAGE/Maria Ajima Prize for Creative Non-Fiction
4. SEVHAGE-KSR Hyginus Ekwuazi Prize for Poetry
5. There is also the addition of the SEVHAGE/Agema Founder’s Prize in recognition of the runners-up in each category.

E. E. SULE/SEVHAGE PRIZE FOR AFRICAN CRITICISM

🏆 WINNER

• A Principle for the New Nigerian Poetry by Arasi Kamolideen Oluwapelumi

📚 SEVHAGE/Agema-Founder’s Prize

• Gender as Performance, and Androgynous Space Creation in African Literature: Reading Dibia’s Walking with Shadows and Duiker’s The Quiet Violence by Eugene Shichet Yakubu
• The Cartography of Human Behavior: Vernacular Theatre in Eastern Africa by Alex Nderitu
• Negotiating Spaces in Western Metropolitan Societies: Focus on Contemporary Nigerian Diasporic Novels by Bizuum Godwill Yadok
• Women and the Boko Haram Terrorists: Reading Trauma in Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani’s Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree by Abidemi Emman Oguntunji
• Unraveling Familial Ties in the Representations of Wives in Selected Women Authored Zambian Short Stories by Shilika Chisoko.

“A Principle For The New Nigerian Poetry” tops the list in ranking among the other essays. Yes! The stunning attribute of this article is the fact that it redirects reason to the rising trend of decoloniality that professes, in peculiarity,  the sacredness of literary freshness and ownership of the new Nigerian literature.

That said, the entries were critical and shows the vastness of scholarship available in the African cannon. Kudos to the winner and all nominees, as well as all those who submitted.” – Judges’ Report

SEVHAGE/LETICIA NYITSE PRIZE FOR SHORT FICTION 2023

🏆 JOINT WINNERS

• The Girl Whose Family Drowned in Her Name by Amanda Ilozumba
• On Most Saturdays, It Doesn’t Rain by Ola W. Halim

📚 SEVHAGE/Agema Founder’s Prize for Short Fiction 2023

• Dial M for Murder by Hajara Hussaina Ashara
• How Lagos Wrings You Dry by Prosper C. Ifeanyi
• Let This Be the Noose That Unties Me by Enit’ayanfe Ayosojumi Akinsanya

SEVHAGE/MARIA AJIMA PRIZE FOR CREATIVE NON-FICTION 2023

🏆 WINNER

• Grief: Its Invisible Gerund by Abasi-maenyin Esebre

📚 SEVHAGE/Agema Founder’s Prize for Creative Non-Fiction Category

• Boy, What is the Taste of a Glory that Burns by Mhembeuter Jeremiah Orhemba
• No Tongue of My Own by Mwanabibi Sylvia Sikamo
• It Tastes Like Love by Olajesutofunmi Akinyemi
• Butterflies, Fireflies, & Brotherhood by Hope Joseph
• The Five Stages of Grief is Death by Ejiro Elizabeth Edward
• A Mother Figure by Hajaarh Muhammad Bashar

“Abasi-maenyin Esebre’s beautiful, brilliant and heartfelt piece stood out from the other entries. It shows the markings of a fine craftsperson. The other selected entries are chosen for their variety, sensitivity and exploration of the human spirit. Well done to everyone on the list and all who submitted.” – Judges’ Report

SEVHAGE-KSR Hyginus Ekwuazi Poetry Prize

🏆glossolalia by Sodiq Oyekanmi

📚 SEVHAGE/Agema Founder’s Prize (Recognitions):

• Riverscape with Seine by Martins Deep
• Self-Innoculation//&the Falsettos of Soft Bruises by Joshua Effiong
• why this poet is addicted to heartbreak songs by Damilola Omotoyinbo
• Here, I Introduced Kotus to the Encyclopedia of My Dolour by Abduljalal Musa Aliyu
• Ujana by Frank Njugi

“After careful consideration of all entries, we’re thrilled to declare Sodiq Oyekanmi as the winner with his incredible poem, ‘glossolalia’. This category posed a tough competition, making the selection of a final winner challenging. Every nominated poet showcased incredible talent and class. Heartfelt congratulations to all who made the lists and even those who submitted.” – Judge’s Report

NOTES:

• Each category has an overall winner that will be awarded the full prize as stated in our announcements: N100,000 for the E.E. Sule/SEVHAGE Prize for African Criticism; and N61,700 for the other categories. The prize money will be split equally among the category with joint winners.
• In addition, we have a new category – the SEVHAGE/Agema Founder’s Prize – for the Runners Up in each category who will get N5,000 each.
• Everyone in these categories, those on the shortlist and longlist will also get complimentary e-certificates too.
• The prizes and certificates will be issued in January 2024.

JUDGES FOR THE SEVHAGE PRIZES 2023

• Professor Hyginus Ekwuazi (Chair)
• Dr Tayol Raphael
• Romeo Oriogun
• S. Su’eddie Vershima Agema
• Deborah Oluniran
• Carl Terver
• Oko Owoicho
• Blessing Omeiza

Signed by:
Professor Hyginus Ekwuazi
Chair, SEVHAGE Literary Prizes 2023 Judges

Dr Ruth Ehighocho James
Publicity Lead, SEVHAGE Literary Prizes 2023

S. Su’eddie Vershima Agema
Lead and Founder, SEVHAGE