Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited Calls for Entries from
Nigerians for the 2023 Edition of The Prize for Literature, Science and Literary Criticism, See
Eligibility, Panel of Judges, Advisory Board, Submission Guidelines,
Deadline and Winners Announcement Dates | Up to $210,000 in Cash Prizes for Grab.
The Nigeria Prize for Literature is one of the 10 richest and most prestigious literary prizes in the world.
The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism complements The Nigeria Prize for Literature by rewarding excellent literary critics of Nigerian literature.
1. ABOUT THE NIGERIA PRIZE FOR LITERATURE:
The Nigeria Prize for Literature, known for its transparent assessment process, has recorded over 2,051 entries for 17 competitions that have so far produced 17 winning works since its commencement on February 2004.
With The Nigeria Prize for Literature, it is expected that the quest for a prestigious prize will improve the quality of writing, editing, proof-reading, and publishing in the country with far-reaching positive effect on print, broadcast journalism, film and theatre production.
The competition runs a four-year cycle that revolves around Prose Fiction, Poetry, Drama and Children’s Literature in that order. In 2020, the focus was Children’s Literature and the winner was Boom Boom by Jude Idada.
The 2020 cycle is on prose fiction but its administration was stalled due to the negative impact of COVID-19 which swept round the whole world. It was consequently carried over to 2021.
The Prize is administered by an Advisory Board set up by Nigeria LNG Limited.
Winners are announced in October, commemorating the first export of LNG cargo by NLNG on October 9, 1999. Winners are honoured at The Grand Award Night, a grade A public ceremony, attended by the la crème of the Nigerian society, including former Heads of State. Winners are subsequently honoured and publicly presented at another public presentation ceremony.
Objectives for Setting up the Prize
Nigeria became the first in Africa to produce a Nobel Laureate in Literature in the person of Prof. Wole Soyinka. The country also produced one of the most decorated authors in the world, Prof. Chinua Achebe, whose book, Things Fall Apart, translated into more than 61 languages, has been listed by Encyclopaedia Britannica as one of 12 novels considered the greatest book ever written. Then there are the great legacies of other Nigerian writers such as Ben Okri, Cyprian Ekwensi, Femi Osofisan, Gabriel Okara, Christopher Okigbo, Chukwuemeka Ike, Flora Nwapa, among others, whose writings were compelling and helped positively shape what people know about Nigeria.
However, prior to inauguration of the Prize, the quality of writing, publishing, news features and articles in newspapers and magazines, and the quality of film production on television and radio did not paint a picture of the excellence the industry was previously known for.
It therefore became evident to us at Nigeria LNG that a well-run literary prize with transparent adjudication process, administered by respected academics, writers and lovers of literature, and with respectable monetary reward, will spur creativity and contribute to the improvement of the quality of writing, editing and publishing in Nigeria. This led to inauguration of the prize on February 2004 with a cash reward of $20,000. The rest, as they say, is history.
Implementation of The Nigeria Prize for Literature
The implementation of the Prize is the responsibility of the Advisory Board, supported by the secretariat provided by NLNG.
Application Procedures and Guidelines
Entries are hereby invited for The Nigeria Prize for Literature. The yearly literature prize is endowed by Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Limited to honour the author of the best book by a Nigerian within the last four years.
The prize rotates among four literary genres- prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature. This year, the competition is for Prose Fiction.
- Eligibility: The competition is open to only Nigerian writers irrespective of their place of residence.
- Prize: It carries a reward of One Hundred Thousand US dollars ($100,000.00).
- Deadline: 31st March, 2023
- How to Submit Entries: Visit the NLNG Prize for Literature Application Portal.
2. ABOUT THE NIGERIA PRIZE FOR SCIENCE:
The Prize is an annual prize aimed at stimulating the advancement and application of science and technology. It is expected that the quest for a prestigious prize in science will improve science and technology in Nigeria, resolve issues that are germane to development of the country and help improve the standards of living.
The prize is administered on behalf of Nigeria LNG Limited by the Advisory Board for Science.
When an entry has been found worthy of winning the Prize, the name of the winner (s) is announced in a world Press Conference in September and the winner(s) rewarded in a Grand Award Ceremony in October, commemorating the first export of LNG cargo by NLNG on October 9, 1999.
Implementation of The Nigeria Prize for Science
The overall prize implementation is the responsibility of the Advisory Board, supported by the secretariat which is located within NLNG. They are responsible for:
- Overall governance and administration of the prize.
- Appointment and supervision of judges and the adjudication process.
- Approval of the outcome of the adjudication process.
Application Procedures and Guidelines
Entries are invited from Scientists worldwide for advancing scientific
solutions to a prescribed problem for which Nigeria benefits as captured
by the theme for the year, Innovations In Sustainable Food Security.
- Eligibility: The award is open to scientists worldwide (Nigerians and non- Nigerians)
involved in the application of science to proffer innovations in
sustainable food security. - Theme: Innovations In Sustainable Food Security.
- Prize: It carries a reward of One Hundred Thousand US dollars ($100,000.00).
- Deadline: 30th April, 2023
- How to Submit Entries: Visit the NLNG Prize for Science Application Portal.
3. ABOUT THE NIGERIA PRIZE FOR LITERARY CRITICISM
Literary criticism aims to deepen interpretations, outlook and the craft of creative writing. It also places emphasis on a particular milieu, be it literary, historical or imaginary. Therefore literary criticism must be supported and encouraged for robust development and growth of creative writing.
These considerations led Nigeria LNG Limited to introduce a prize for literary criticism in 2012. The Nigerian Prize for Literary Criticism currently has a cash value of N1 million.
Since the aim of the Prize is to promote Nigerian literature, it is open to literary critics from all over the world critiquing Nigerian literature.
For the purposes of this prize, Nigerian literature is defined as literature on Nigeria and the Nigerian experience and not literature written by a Nigerian. Special consideration is, however, given to critical essays on the works of the new generation of Nigerian writers.
The winners of this Prize are presented at the public presentation of winners of The Nigeria Prize for Literature.
Application Procedures and Guidelines
Entries are hereby invited for The Literary Criticism Prize. The yearly
prize is endowed by Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Limited to honour the author of
the best work.
- Eligibility: Since the aim is to promote Nigerian Literature in the world, the prize
will be open to literary critics from all over the world.. - Prize: It carries a reward of Ten Thousand Dollars (USD10,000).
- Deadline: 31st March, 2023.
- How to Submit Entries: Visit the NLNG Prize for Literary Criticism Application Portal.