Sanya by Oyin Olugbile Wins The Nigeria Prize for Literature 2025: A Triumph of Myth, Identity, and Imagination
The night glowed with brilliance at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos as literature once again took the national stage. Under the soft shimmer of chandeliers and the heartbeat of applause, Oyin Olugbile’s Sanya emerged as the winner of the 2025 Nigeria Prize for Literature, one of Africa’s most coveted literary honours, worth $100,000.
It was not merely a victory—it was an affirmation of the power of story, myth, and imagination to reawaken cultural consciousness in a rapidly digitizing world.
A Bold Reimagining of Yoruba Mythology
The announcement was made by Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Chairperson of the Prize’s Advisory Board, who praised Olugbile’s daring reinterpretation of Yoruba mythology—most notably her audacious decision to cast Sango, the fiery god of thunder, as a woman.
“Olugbile’s storytelling is both daring and lyrical,” Professor Ezeigbo said. “She projects Yoruba mythology through a narrative that captivates, meanders, and ultimately redefines gender and power within our ancestral imagination. Sanya is told in lucid, beautiful language that invites both the scholar and the casual reader into its universe.”
Out of 252 submitted novels, Sanya stood tall—its pages alive with rhythm, memory, and mythic reinvention. It triumphed over The Road to the Country by Chigozie Obioma and This Motherless Land by Nikki May, both lauded for their depth and craft, and signaling a renaissance in Nigerian literary publishing.
“Very little separated the shortlisted works,” Professor Ezeigbo admitted, “but Sanya took the edge—its creative bravery made it impossible to ignore.”
Celebrating Literary Excellence and Critique
In another category, Okwudiri Anasiudu emerged winner of The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism, securing $10,000 for his body of essays exploring Afropolitan identity, allegory, and mimetic designs in contemporary African fiction, including the works of Helon Habila.
His winning submissions—Afropolitan Identity and Afrodiasporic Otherness in Selected African Novels, Allegorical Conjectures in Measuring Time, and Mimetic Designs in Oil on Water—highlighted the deepening sophistication of Nigerian literary analysis on the global stage.
Words that Build Nations: NLNG’s Enduring Legacy
In his opening remarks, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, Managing Director and CEO of Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), reaffirmed the company’s long-standing commitment to nurturing creativity and innovation through The Nigeria Prizes—for Literature, Science, and now, Creative Arts.
“Literature reminds us that nations are built not only on steel and concrete but on stories—on words that shape identity and deepen understanding,” he said. “Winning this Prize represents scaling the highest heights of creative expression.”
He further announced transformative updates to the Prize structure:
- The Nigeria Prize for Science will now be known as the Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation—reflecting NLNG’s commitment to bridging creativity with technology.
- A new category, The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, will debut in 2026 with a focus on Documentary Film, inspiring a new generation of Nigerian storytellers to tell authentic stories that connect, challenge, and illuminate.
From Literature to Innovation: Nigeria’s Future in Words and Ideas
The night wasn’t just about books; it was a meditation on Nigeria’s capacity to think, create, and transform.
Dr. Mshelbila underscored this in his remarks on energy and innovation, linking storytelling to nation-building. Citing the International Energy Agency, he noted that Africa requires over $200 billion annually in energy investment to meet its development and climate goals—an area where Nigeria must lead boldly.
“Every kilometre of pipeline, every gas cylinder, every story told—represents opportunity,” he declared.
“With Train 7 now over 80% complete, NLNG is proving that when policy, planning, and purpose align, Nigeria can achieve extraordinary things.”
He also unveiled Voices of Our Leaders, a commemorative book chronicling NLNG’s 30-year journey, paying tribute to the visionaries who turned a corporate dream into a national institution.
A Night of Reflection and Renewal
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Tunji Alausa, Nigeria’s Minister of Education, challenged the nation to pair its literary brilliance with scientific innovation. He observed that The Nigeria Prize for Science produced no winner in 2025, a sobering reminder of the need for greater investment in research, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies.
“Without innovation, Nigeria cannot hope to compete in the digital future,” he said. “We must nurture both science and art—two wings of the same national vision.”
He called for renewed national focus on education, innovation, and the creative industries, affirming that the growth of Nigeria’s intellectual capital is key to sustainable development.
BRANDECONOMY INSIGHT: The Power of Cultural Capital
The success of Sanya is not just a literary victory—it’s an economic statement. It proves that cultural capital, when nurtured, can rival any other form of investment. Literature is not just about storytelling; it is about shaping national consciousness, soft power, and global influence.
From Wole Soyinka’s activism to Chimamanda Adichie’s global resonance, and now Oyin Olugbile’s mythic reawakening, Nigerian literature continues to export both art and identity to the world.
The introduction of The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts is therefore not incidental—it signals a new creative economy driven by storytelling, digital innovation, and the boundless power of imagination.
Conclusion: The Flame of the Word
As the lights dimmed and applause echoed through the hall, one truth remained—Nigeria’s soul still beats in its stories.
Through Sanya, Oyin Olugbile reminds the world that myth can be reborn, that femininity can wield thunder, and that African literature is not just alive—it is ascending.
In a nation often defined by its challenges, nights like this prove that creativity remains Nigeria’s most inexhaustible resource.
And from the written word to the moving image, NLNG’s Nigeria Prizes ensure that flame keeps burning—bright, fierce, and forever inspiring.
