In the early hours of 13^th July 2024, Nigerian Time, the longlist for the $100,000 Nigeria Prize for Literature sponsored by the Nigeria Liquefied and Natural Gas (NLNG) was released by its Advisory Board. This was released in a video featuring the three members of the Advisory Board comprising Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo (chair), Prof. Olu Obafemi and Prof. Ahmed Yerima.

The 11 books on the longlist released this morning in alphabetical order of their titles:

• A Father’s Pride by Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmor
• Bode’s Birthday Party by Akanni Festus Olaniyi
• Grandma and the Moon’s hidden secret by Jumoke Verissimo
• Mighty Mite and Golden Jewel by Henry Akubuiro
• Risi Recycle – The Dustbin Girl by Temiloluwa Adeshina
• The Children at the IDP Camp by Olatunbosun Taofeek
• The Magic Jalabiya by Ayo Oyeku
• The Road does not End by Familoni Oluranti Olubunmi
• The Third Side of a Coin by Hyginus Ekwuazi
• Village Boy by Anietie Usen
• Wish Maker by Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike

Now in its 20^th year, the 2024 edition of the Prize received a record 163 entries in children’s literature. The Prize rotates yearly among four literary categories: prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature.

The judging panel this year comprises Professor Vicky Sylvester of the University of Abuja, Dr Igudia Osarobu of the University of Ibadan, and the renowned critic, Professor Saleh Abdu of the Federal University, Kashere, who chairs the panel.

Professor Christopher Okemwa, who lectures in poetry and drama at Kisii University in Kenya, is the International Consultant for the 2024 edition of the Prize. He has published over ten children’s books, one of which won the 2015 Canadian Burt Award for African Literature (Kenya).

Past winners in the Children’s Literature genre include the 2007 joint winners Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo with My Cousin Sammy and Mabel Segun with her book Readers’ Theatre: Twelve Plays for Young People; Mai Nasara (2011), author of The Missing Clock; and Jude Idada with his book, Boom Boom (2019).