Having examined the top 60 entries announced last week, we are elated to reveal the longlist for the fifth edition of the Nigerian Students Poetry Prize (NSPP) which opened for submissions on 15th January, 2020. Based on the selections of the judges – Dr. Amanze Akpuda, Dr. Santosh Bakaya, Gbenga Adeoba and Naseeba Babale – the longlisted entries, in no particular order, are as follows:
- JUVENILE | Oladapo Raheem Olawale (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
- WALLS | Ozota Gerald Obinna (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
- WE BEAR SADNESS IN OUR NAME | Biachi Ndidi Anointing (Benue State University, Makurdi)
- ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL | Ndipmong-uwem Dickson Isaiah (University of Uyo, Uyo)
- MY TRUTH | Temiloluwa Okanmiyo Oluyemi (Bowen University, Iwo)
- FAULT LINES | Bello Abdulmajeed Mohammed (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)
- MAMA’S TEARS | Gimbiya Galadima (University of Benin, Benin City)
- TRAPPED BIRDS | Udeoba Ebubechukwu Ifenna (Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli)
- PURE BLISS | Muhammed Sulaimon Abiodun (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
- NONSO | Samson Abanni (Ebonyi State University Abakaliki)
- LETTER TO A TERRORIST | Omiyale Babatunde Yusuf (University of Ilorin, Ilorin)
- DO NOT CRY | Ike Hillary Chichebem (University of Nigeria, Nsukka)
- A POEM WHERE HOME BEGS FOR PEACE | Uchechukwu Ezenwa-Ohaeto (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka)
- HOW TO PAINT A BOY | Joseph Peter Akpan (University of Uyo, Uyo)
- HOME | Theophilus Femi Alawonde (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
- A HYMN FOR THE LOST AND EMPTY | Praise Osawaru (University of Benin, Benin City)
- SCARRED NOW HURTING | Oluwakemi Osinimu Kayode (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)
- IKOGOSI: A BLESSING OF NATURE | Ogunjemilua Peace Adewole (Federal University of Technology, Akure)
- LEAVE MY HOME! | Faith Modupeoluwa Onasanya (University of Ibadan, Ibadan)
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THE HOUSE THAT BUILT ME | Okwubi Godwin Adah (University of Benin, Benin City)
A shortlist of ten poems will be announced on 8th August, 2020. The prize winners, who will be revealed by mid-August, will receive a total cash prize of N500,000.
Instituted in 2016 to stimulate literary creativity amongst Nigerian undergraduates, the NSPP has since received over 3000 submissions from over 100 tertiary institutions.
Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom
Moderator, NSPP 2020