Having revealed the top 81 entries on 2nd October 2021, we are elated to announce the longlist for the 6th edition of the Nigerian Students Poetry Prize which opened for submissions on 15th January 2021. Based on the selections of the judges – Prof. Amanze Akpuda, Dr. Santosh Bakaya, Dr. Soji Cole, Kukogho Iruesiri Samson and Oguntoyinbo Shola Phebian – the longlisted entries, in no particular order, are as follows:
- MY GRANDPA TELLS ME STORIES | Abdulkareem Abdulkareem Oladimeji (University of Ilorin, Ilorin)
- SCRABBLE | Ndugbu Stefan Chidiadi (Federal University of Technology, Owerri)
- WEEKEND WARRIOR | Ujiogba Sharon Moyinoluwa (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
- UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY OF OUR BEING | Kalu Esther Nididi (Yaba College of Technology, Yaba)
- SHADES OF TEDIUM | Johnson Onyedikachi Shaquille (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
- REMINISCENCE Oluwasegun Oluseyi Adesina Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
- THE SPARROW HAWK | Ubeke, Mark Eche (Federal University, Wukari)
- NEIGHBOURHOOD | Eremika Favour Patarh-Ebere (University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt)
- INVISIBLE SCARS | Abasiakara Otobong Etim (University of Uyo, Uyo)
- ORIGIN OF REVIVAL | Okebiorun Olamilekan David (Federal University, Oye-Ekiti)
- THE CRAZY BICYCLE WOMAN | Ezenwa Onugbolu (University of Lagos, Lagos)
- MY PRIDE | Saviour Anthony Akpan (University of Uyo, Uyo)
- Sandra Uche Delumozie (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka)
- A BOY, HIS GOD AND A COUNTRY | Abioye Samuel Treasure (University of Jos, Jos)
- PORTRAIT OF WATER | Samuel A. Adeyemi (Federal University, Lokoja)
- STORIES IN THE WIND | Ebubechukwu Ifenna Udeoba (Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli)
- JUST EXCELLENCE, BUT MORE OF FREEDOM | Ajakaye Rashidat Olamidayo (Lagos State University, Ojo)
- WHO I AM IS WHO THEY WANT ME TO BE | Olafisoye-Oragbade Oluwatosin David (University of Ilorin, Ilorin)
- A NAIRA SHY OF REBIRTH | Divine Inyang Titus (University of Uyo, Uyo)
- BINOCULARS |Haruna Abdulmajid (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)
On assessing the longlisted entries, winner of the 2018 Nigeria Prize for Literature and member of the NSPP Judging Panel, Dr. Soji Cole remarked thus: “The longlist for this year’s Nigeria Students Poetry Prize further affirms the reality of a radical shift by Nigeria’s young writers to ‘own’ and ‘texture’ the language of poetry in a manner that is both shocking and absorbing. The voices here are variegated – the most intense being those of angst, revolution, and identity. These are no amateur writers. They arrived on the scene before we got to know them!”
The NSPP, instituted in 2016 to promote literary creativity among Nigerian undergraduates, will reward the top three entrants and consolation prize winners with a total cash prize of N400,000 at its award ceremony slated for 15th October at the University of Ibadan.
Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom
Moderator, NSPP 2021