The NLNG Prize for Literature is an incredible award for writers, both established and emerging, from any part of the African continent.
Every year, this prestigious literary prize recognizes the very best of African literature and rewards its recipients with an impressive $100,000 cash prize.
This amazing award serves as a way to honor the incredible creativity and diversity of African literature and encourages authors to continue creating stories that captivate and inspire readers.
In this article, we will provide an overview of the NLNG Prize for Literature and the remarkable work of its recipients.
What is the NLNG Prize For Literature?

Picture of the NLNG Prize for Literature Logo
The Nigeria Prize for Literature, the largest and most prestigious literary award in Nigeria, is organized and funded by the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Company.
Every year, the Prize is awarded to the best published literary work in English, written by a Nigerian citizen or resident of Nigeria. With a value of $100,000 USD, entries are accepted from any author whose books have been published in the past five years.
The NLNG Prize for Literature is split into three categories: Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. It is regarded as one of the most prestigious literary awards in Africa and has brought international recognition to many of Nigeria’s most prominent writers, such as Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
The Prize has helped to boost the visibility of Nigerian literature and has enabled many authors to further develop their writing careers.
The NLNG Prize for Literature in English is an esteemed award that is presented annually to an African writer for a book of literary merit published in the English language.
Established in 2004, the NLNG Prize is the first major international literary prize to be presented to an African writer, funded by Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) and administered by the Nigerian Academy of Letters.
The NLNG Prize for Literature in English is the richest literary prize for African writers in English, with a total of NGN 3 million for the winner. The NLNG Prize for Literature in English recognizes and rewards excellence in African writing.
It is open to all African writers who write in the English language and is awarded annually. The prize is presented at a prestigious ceremony in Nigeria.
The NLNG Prize for Literature in English is one of the most prestigious awards in African literature and has seen some of the continent’s most talented writers receive the honor.
The prize is a great opportunity for African writers to gain international recognition, and for their work to be celebrated and acknowledged.
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Who Can Apply for the NLNG Prize for Literature?
The NLNG Prize for Literature in English is a prestigious award open to any writer who has published at least one full-length book of fiction or poetry in English.
Published in the United States and/or the United Kingdom within the last three years, the book must be written in English and have a minimum of 40,000 words.
The prize is open to any writer from any nationality, profession, or background, provided they have a permanent address in the United States or the United Kingdom and have been a resident of the United States or the United Kingdom for at least five years prior to applying for the prize.
All applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of submitting their application. The NLNG Prize for Literature in English is an opportunity for aspiring writers to gain recognition for their work, with the potential of being awarded a cash prize of up to £15,000.
The prize is also an incentive for writers to continue to hone their craft and strive for excellence in their work. So, if you’re an aspiring writer, don’t miss out on the chance to apply for the NLNG Prize for Literature in English and get your work the recognition it deserves.
What is the Monetary Value of the NLNG Prize for Literature?
The NLNG Prize for Literature in English is an annual award of US$100,000, presented to an African writer of fiction. Established in 2004 by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), the Prize was designed to promote the development and publication of literary works in English, by African authors.
The Prize is open to any African writer of fiction, regardless of whether their work is published or unpublished, and works of any genre are eligible, including novels, short stories, drama, and poetry.
The winner of the Prize is determined by an independent panel of four judges, who select the best book based on the criteria set by NLNG.
The Prize money is then split equally between the author and the publisher. The NLNG Prize for Literature in English is a great opportunity for African authors to receive recognition for their work, as well as financial support for continued development.
The Prize is also of great importance to African literature as a whole. It helps to promote the growth and visibility of writing by African authors, while also helping to encourage further creativity and innovation.
Ultimately, the NLNG Prize for Literature in English is a fantastic way to ensure that African literature continues to thrive and be appreciated around the world.
What is the Selection Process for the NLNG Prize for Literature?
The NLNG Prize for Literature in English is an impressive biennial literary award that offers African writers an incredible opportunity to be recognized for their work.
Open to writers of any nationality who are writing in English and residing in an African country, the Prize is the most lucrative literary award of its kind on the continent.
The selection process for the NLNG Prize for Literature in English involves an independent panel of judges who carefully assess all submitted manuscripts.
The judges consider the quality of writing, originality, structure, characterization, and relevance to contemporary African life and experience in making their decision. Submitted manuscripts must be of a fictional nature and must not have been previously published in any form.
The winner of the Prize is announced at a ceremony held in Lagos, Nigeria. The NLNG Prize for Literature in English is an impressive award that offers African writers a chance to be recognized for their work and to be part of a larger community of African writers.
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How Do I Enter the NLNG Prize for Literature?
The NLNG Prize for Literature is one of the most prestigious literary awards in Nigeria. Every year, this award is presented to a Nigerian author for their outstanding work in fiction writing.
- To be eligible for this award, authors must meet certain criteria. All entries must be written in English, and the author must be a Nigerian citizen or of Nigerian descent over the age of 21.
- If you’re interested in submitting an entry to the NLNG Prize for Literature, you must first prepare your manuscript. Entries must be between 30,000 and 70,000 words and must be original, unpublished works of fiction.
- Additionally, you must follow the NLNG Prize for Literature guidelines, which include formatting and submission deadlines.
- Once your entry is ready to go, you can submit it to the NLNG Prize for Literature website along with the entry fee.
In October of the same year, the NLNG Prize for Literature jury will review all entries and announce the winner. It’s a great honor to be selected for this award, so make sure to follow the guidelines and submit your manuscript for a chance to win. Good luck!
What are the NLNG Prizes Awards?
annual award presented by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) company to recognize outstanding achievements in the field of literature. It has been awarded since 2004 and is worth a total of USD $100,000.
This prize is open to all Nigerian citizens who have published a full-length book of fiction in the English language within the last three years.
The judging panel is made up of esteemed literary critics, and at the end of the year, a gala event is held in Lagos to announce the winner. The winner of the Prize is then given the opportunity to attend the annual NLNG Literary Festival, which is also held in Lagos.
Notable past winners of the Nigeria Prize for Literature include Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Chris Abani, and Helon Habila, who have all gone on to receive international recognition for their work.
The Nigeria Prize for Literature continues to be an important showcase for the best in Nigerian literature and has helped to highlight the country’s rich literary culture. It is also a great incentive for writers to continue to produce high-quality work and strive for excellence in their writing.
- What is the NLNG Prize for Science:
The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) have joined forces to create The Nigeria Prize for Science, a biennial award that recognizes outstanding scientific research conducted by a Nigerian citizen.
The prize is worth US$100,000, making it the highest amount awarded for scientific research in Nigeria. The NLNG Prize for Science is designed to show appreciation for the remarkable contributions Nigerian scientists have made in the fields of Science, Medicine, Agriculture, and Technology.
It is also intended to encourage and motivate Nigerian scientists to continue striving to make significant contributions to the development of science and technology in Nigeria.
This prestigious prize provides an incredible opportunity for Nigerian scientists to gain recognition and financial support for their work.
The NLNG Prize for Science is a testament to the commitment of both the NNPC and NLNG Limited to the development of science and technology in Nigeria and to the pursuit of excellence in scientific research.
- What is the NLNG Prize for Literature:
The Nigeria Prize for Literature is an annual literary award sponsored by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and managed by Nigerian LNG Limited (NLNG).
Established in 2004, it is the largest literary prize in Africa and is awarded to recognize the best literary works produced by Nigerian authors in the English language. The Prize consists of a monetary award of ₦2.5 million (approximately US$7,000) as well as a plaque.
The Prize has been awarded to many renowned Nigerian authors such as Wole Soyinka, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Helon Habila, amongst others.
Every year, a panel of judges appointed by the NLNG is responsible for selecting the winner of the Prize, which is open to all Nigerian authors whose works are of literary merit, irrespective of their discipline or genre.
With its large monetary award and recognition, the Nigeria Prize for Literature is a great opportunity for authors to be rewarded for their hard work and dedication.
It is a great way to promote and celebrate Nigerian literature and recognize authors who are making a positive contribution to the literary world.
- What is the NLNG Prize for Literary Criticism:
is particularly important to the Nigerian literary community and the NLNG Prize for Literature is a great way to celebrate and encourage it.
The NLNG Prize for Literature in English is a biennial award that has been sponsored by the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited since its launch in 2004.
This prestigious award is the largest literary award in Nigeria, with prize money of $100,000 for the winner. It is open to all Nigerian writers, regardless of their age or nationality, and the winner is chosen by an independent panel of judges from a shortlist of five books.
Previous winners of the NLNG Prize for Literature in English include some of Nigeria’s most acclaimed writers such as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Wale Okediran, and Sefi Atta.
These writers have achieved great success in their respective fields and have been recognized for their contributions to Nigerian literature.
In addition to the NLNG Prize for Literature, there is also another biennial award called the Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism, which is sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited and is open to all Nigerian writers and literary critics. This award encourages the exploration of literary theory and its applications to Nigerian literature.
The English (US) language is particularly important to the Nigerian literary community and the NLNG Prize for Literature is a great way to celebrate and encourage it.
This award has provided a platform for many Nigerian writers to showcase their work and to be recognized for their talent and achievements. It is a great honor for any Nigerian writer to be chosen as a winner of this prestigious award.
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Tip-Off: What is the NLNG Prize for Literature Submission Procedure?
The NLNG Prize for Literature is an exciting opportunity for emerging authors to showcase their work and be recognized.
Open to all writers of English language fiction published in the last three years, it is an opportunity to receive international recognition and a generous cash prize of $100,000.
- To enter, applicants must submit their original work of fiction through the NLNG Prize for Literature official website.
- Entries must be no longer than 10,000 words in length and must be accompanied by a cover letter that details the entrant’s publishing history and a short synopsis of the work.
- Additionally, entrants must complete the submission form provided on the website and provide all the required information including their contact details, and a non-refundable submission fee of $50.
- All entries will be judged by an independent panel of experts who will select the winner of the NLNG Prize for Literature.
- The winner will be announced at the NLNG Prize for Literature Awards Ceremony in November and will receive a cash prize of $100,000 and a trophy.
So, if you are an aspiring author, this is a great opportunity to showcase your work, receive international recognition, and potentially win a generous cash prize. So, don’t miss out, and submit your entry today!