Longlist Announced: The Brigitte Poirson Literature Prize 2025

We are pleased to announce the longlist for the 2025 Brigitte Poirson Literature Prize (BPLP), following a rigorous review process by our judges.

This year’s submissions reflected a remarkable range, depth, and urgency, engaging with themes of identity, nationhood, memory, migration, and the human condition through craft and originality. We commend all entrants for the high quality of work received.

LONGLISTED POEMS

1. The Hands That Painted the Sky — Olukitibi Elizabeth Atilola
2. A Father’s Sacrifice — Ariyo Ahmad Akanni
3. The Deep of Relativity — Oladimeji Adam Adedayo
4. Innocence — Grace Ezinne Ajunwa
5. Mother in the Mirror — Halimah Adisa
6. How Do I Glorify My Country When It Runs the Faces of Razor Blades on My Skin? — Segun SCRIPTS
7. Alone in the Time of Migration — Tamani Tatiana Sale
8. The Bulbul & the Geometry of Dawn — Abubakar Ibrahim
9. Age Is a River — Azeez Odunjo
10. The Seed I Dare Not Eat — Jimoh Lateef Aderoju
11. The Rainmaker’s Daughter — Oladoyin Ayodeji Victor
12. Autopsy of a Deceased Country — Adebola Temitayo Ogunyemi
13. Just a Poet — Genesis Onyekachi Obinna
14. The Tailor’s Gospel — Akindutire, Elizabeth Abosede
15. Something in This Weather Does Not Love Me — Wisdom Nemi Otikor
16. I Want to Runaway from My Country — Michael Agunbiade
17. Post-Apocalypse — Pacella Chukwuma-Eke
18. A Day in My Life — Ima-abasi Udo
19. The Song of Nature — Iyanuoluwa Oni
20. Field Notes on Birth & Oblivion — Blessing Omeiza Ojo

LONGLISTED SHORT STORIES

1. The Weight of Our Steps — Christian Emecheta
2. I Am Not Dead (Untitled) — Ibrahim Oga
3. CTRL Z — Ikechukwu Henry
4. Woman — Abdulrahman M. Abu-Yaman
5. An Ehi Speaks — Adesuwa Agbonile
6. (In/Re)Surrection — Chimezie Okoro
7. The Season of Migration to the North — Daniel Yohanna
8. The Gods Are Wise — John Ebut
9. Feed Us Your Heart — Jane Udochi
10. Hostage Song — Daniel Echezona

The shortlist will be announced at the end of December 2025, and the winners of the $400 Cash Prize will be announced in January 2026.

We congratulate all longlisted writers and thank every entrant for trusting the Brigitte Poirson Literature Prize with their work.

• For more about the Prize’s history, mission, and past winners, visit https://authorpedia.net/csr/bppc/
• For inquiries or partnership opportunities, please contact us at info@wrr.ng. Our team will be happy to provide any clarification or support you may need.

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