We are elated to announce the longlist for the 7th edition of the Nigerian Students Poetry Prize (NSPP) which opened for submissions on 15th January 2022. In line with the selections of the judges, the longlisted entries, in no particular order, are as follows:
- HOME AS A THRENODY | Olowonjoyin Muhammed Sanni (University of Ilorin)
- A NATION IN LABOUR | Joseph Peter Akpan (University of Uyo)
- FOUND BUT SOLD | Sodamade Bushrah Kehinde (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
- WHERE LONELINESS COMES FROM | Raheemah Olawuyi Olabimpe (University of Ilorin)
- THE VOYAGE | Chinualumogu Ofodile Godsent (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka)
- YES, WE KNOW | Taiwo Hassan (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
- METAPHOR FOR CARTOGRAPHY | Ayoade Olamide (Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye)
- TO AISHA | Achadu Joshua Unogwu (University of Abuja)
- VOICES IN INK | Sandra Uche Delumozie (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka)
- WHY MY LOVER’S ROOM IS BEREFT OF BRITTLE ITEMS | Younglan Talyoung (University of Jos)
- I REALLY AM A METAPHOR FOR GRIEF | Mahbubat Kanyinsola Salahudeen (University of Ibadan)
- THE TINY LINE | Nater Paul Akpen (Benue State University, Makurdi)
- THE BLACK GIRL | Taiwo Similoluwa Praise (Federal University of Technology, Akure Akure)
- RESURRECTION | Joshua Okon Effiong (University of Calabar)
On assessing the longlisted entries, Iquo DianaAbasi, a member of the NSPP Judging Panel who was longlisted for the 2022 Nigeria Prize for Literature, said, “As with all competitions, there are entries that come packed with substance and compelling messages, but these are sometimes lost in the murk of imagery, grammar and structure that could have been better thought through. Still, in a number of the poems, there are many lines that stand out for their originality and creative spin.”
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 N550,000 at its award ceremony slated for 10th December 2022 within WRR’s annual literary festival tagged “Feast of Words”.
Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom
Moderator, NSPP 2022
As expected my favorite lines are always on the NSPP 🙌🏼