Poets in Nigeria (PIN) is pleased to announce the top 50 poems for the seventh edition of the Nigerian Students Poetry Prize (NSPP) which opened for submissions on January 15, 2022.
A 5-man judging panel including Professor Sunny Awhefeada, Iquo DianaAbasi, Kukogho Iruesiri Samson, Luz María López and Oguntoyinbo Shola Phebian reviewed 150 entries selected from among 538 valid entries by the preliminary judges.
The outstanding entries are shared below in no particular order.
- WHY MY LOVER’S ROOM IS BEREFT OF BRITTLE ITEMS | Younglan Talyoung (University of Jos)
- ELLIPSIS… | Emmanuel Isidore Udoma (University of Uyo)
- HOME AS A THRENODY | Olowonjoyin Muhammed Sanni (University of Ilorin)
- WHAT WE SAY | Ayobami Kayode Tijani (Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto)
- A NATION IN LABOUR | Joseph Peter Akpan (University of Uyo)
- AN OUTAGE OF LOVE | Roseline Mgbodichinma Anya Okorie (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka)
- I SLEEP WITH MY MOUTH WIDE OPEN | Abdulkadir Kaothar Onaolapo (University of Ilorin)
- YOUR MOTHERS WORE IT TOO | Peace Ufedojo Haruna (University of Benin)
- MY FATHER’S GHOST IS A LOT LIKE THE GOSPEL | Moyosolaoluwa Olowokure (University of Lagos)
- GOOGLE MAPS AND COORDINATES OF GRIEF | Adamu Yahuza Abdullahi (Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto)
- FISHERMAN’S PRAYER | Williams Williams Kurotimi (Niger Delta University Wilberforce Island, Yenagoa)
- BROTHERHOOD | Folorunsho Kehinde Michael (University of Lagos)
- EYES OF MY FATHER | Funmilayo Esther Gabriel (University of Ibadan)
- SPARKLES – A REMINISCENCE | Faith Osawaye (University of Benin)
- AN IROKO WOOD WITH FIERY BEARDS | Joemario Nyeti Joseph Umana (University of Maiduguri)
- TO AISHA | Achadu Joshua Unogwu (University of Abuja)
- THE TINY LINE | Nater Paul Akpen (Benue State University, Makurdi)
- THE BLACK GIRL | Taiwo Similoluwa Praise (Federal University of Technology, Akure Akure)
- SILENT IMPERIALISM | Abdulbaseet Yusuff (Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto)
- THE VOYAGE | Chinualumogu Ofodile Godsent (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka)
- YES, WE KNOW | Taiwo Hassan (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
- VOICES IN INK | Sandra Uche Delumozie (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka)
- RESURRECTION | Joshua Okon Effiong (University of Calabar)
- SELF-PORTRAIT AS SMITHEREENED SONG | Sodïq Oyèkànmí (University of Ibadan)
- HEADLESS | Nwuguru Chidiebere Sullivan (Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki)
- PILLORY OF CORRUPTION | Bankole Oyindamola Ayomide (Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti)
- I REALLY AM A METAPHOR FOR GRIEF | Mahbubat Kanyinsola Salahudeen (University of Ibadan)
- MOUNT HOREB: THE TALE OF UNBURNABLE THINGS | Ugbe Emmanuel Unimniake (University of Calabar)
- SURRENDER | Enoch Akinlabi Akinbusoye (University of Lagos)
- FOUND BUT SOLD | Sodamade Bushrah Kehinde (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
- WHERE LONELINESS COMES FROM | Raheemah Olawuyi Olabimpe (University of Ilorin)
- JOYFUL MOMENTS | Kamaldeen Naeemah Jummai (University of Ilorin)
- A COUNTRY WITH POETS WHO KEEP RECORDS OF HISTORY | Abioye Samuel Akorede (University of Jos)
- METAPHOR FOR CARTOGRAPHY | Ayoade Olamide (Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye)
- A TATTERED KITE ON THE TOWER | Lawal Ibrahim Ajani (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)
- IMAGERIES IN THE POOL OF AGONIES | Abdulmueed Balogun Adewale (University of Ibadan)
- THE FLOWER VASE WITHOUT FLOWERS | Jayeoba Emmanuel Odunitan (University of Agriculture, Abeokuta)
- A STREET CHILD’S STORY | Thompson Eunice Victor (University of Cross River State, Calabar)
- DO YOU KNOW HOW A BURNED-OUT LAMP FEELS | Unction Abiodun (University of Calabar)
- BLOODY MARY | Eluu-Vincent Peace (Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki)
- WE SHALL BREAK KOLA NUTS | Olayinka Boluwatife Olaitan (University of Ibadan)
- THIS WAS NOT A SAD POEM | Okpako Cecilia Omotorhe (Yaba College of Technology)
- APOCALYPSE | Olowo Qudus Opeyemi (University of Ilorin)
- GHUSL: A GUIDE TO BATHING YOUR (DEAD) DAD | Muiz Opeyemi Ajayi (University of Ibadan)
- TALES A DEAD MAN TELL | Deborah Ayanfeoluwa Joshua (Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye)
- AN ELEGY FOR MY LULLABY | Onwuka Dabeluchukwu Chiemelie (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
- POSTPARTUM | Karen Efe Itinagbedia (University of Port Harcourt)
- MESSIAH COMPLEX | Oladapo Olawale (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
- INHIBITIONS OF A PRECIOUS SOUL | Victor Unwuchola (Federal University, Lokoja)
- MEMORIES | Onyekwelu Chiwenite Kingsley (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka)
Please note that;
- the top 50 entries will be published in an anthology edited by Eriata Oribhabor and Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom;
- the top 50 entrants are entitled to complimentary, digital copies of the NSPP publication;
- a longlist of 14 poems will be announced on Thursday, December 1, 2022; and
- a shortlist of 6 poems will be announced on Wednesday, December 7, 2022.
Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom
Moderator, NSPP 2022