Words Rhymes & Rhythm proudly opens the submission window for the 2025 edition of the Eriata Oribhabor Poetry Prize (EOPP). We invite Nigerian poets and literature lovers worldwide to submit their most powerful and thought-provoking poems for this prestigious prize.
The EOPP has been a beacon for emerging and established poets for over a decade, serving as one of Nigeria’s most consistent platforms for discovery. We celebrate the unrestricted power of the poet’s imagination and encourage submissions on any subject or theme that is deeply meaningful to you. We seek poems that are original, powerful, and demonstrate exceptional craft, inviting exploration into the full, untamed range of the human experience.
Let your words inspire, challenge, and ignite.
PRIZES:
- First Prize: ₦100,000 cash
- First Runner-up: ₦60,000 cash
- Second Runner-up: ₦40,000 cash
- The top 20 entries will be published in the EOPP 2025 anthology.
GUIDELINES:
- Submit one (1) original poem in the body of the email. No attachments.
- Email submissions to SUBMISSIONS@WRR.NG with the subject: ‘EOPP 2025’.
- Include full name, contact details, and a brief biography in the email.
- Do not submit poems with profanity/vulgarity, as they will be disqualified.
ELIGIBILITY:
- Nigerians resident worldwide are eligible.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
- Deadline is December 28, 2025
- The judges’ decisions are final, and no correspondence concerning selections will be entertained.
- There is no entry fee.
- Poets retain copyright but grant publication rights for the EOPP Anthology by submitting their works.
THE JUDGING PANEL
The EOPP 2025 submissions will be judged by distinguished poets Sodiq Alabi and Jide Badmus.
Sodiq Alabi is a poet and social commentator. His latest work, the collection Deaf Birds and Frozen Frames, has been lauded for its “raw honesty and lyrical grace” as it poignantly explores themes of migration, exile, and the quest for identity. His debut collection, The Texture of Air, also received critical acclaim. Educated at the University of Ilorin, Ahmadu Bello University, and the University of Sussex, Alabi brings a deep, insightful perspective to his work. His poetry draws on the tradition of African griots and has been featured in anthologies and journals.
Jide Badmus, an engineer and poet, is renowned for his evocative works that explore themes of beauty, destruction, and love. He is the author of four books, including Obaluaye (FlowerSong Press, 2022) and What Do I Call My Love for Your Body (Roaring Lion Newcastle, 2022). Beyond his writing, Badmus has made significant contributions to the literary community as the founder of INKspiredng and the Poetry Editor of CỌ́N-SCÌÒ Magazine. His dedication to curating anthologies and nurturing emerging voices underscores his commitment to the growth of contemporary poetry.
This is more than a competition; it is an invitation to partake in creative history. Seize the moment, lend your unique voice to the EOPP legacy, and let your words define the year.
Established in 2012, EOPP is one of Nigeria’s longest-running poetry prizes. Read about its history, patron, & past winners here: https://authorpedia.net/csr/eopp/.
