By Prosper Mene
In a landmark victory celebrating emerging literary talent, Nigerian author and cultural storyteller Oyin Olugbile (also known as Oyindamola Olugbile) has been awarded the 2025 Nigeria Prize for Literature, sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG).
The $100,000 prize, one of Africa’s most prestigious and valuable literary awards, recognizes outstanding prose fiction in this cycle.
Olugbile’s debut novel, Sanya, triumphed over a fiercely competitive shortlist featuring renowned authors Chigozie Obioma (The Road to the Country) and Nikki May (This Motherless Land).
Described by judges as a captivating mythological retelling with Yoruba influences, Sanya explores profound themes of dangerous love, loss, redemption, identity, destiny, and transformation. Set in a fantastical empire enchanting even to the Òrìṣà deities, the novel boldly reimagines figures like Sango as female, blending lucid prose with sophisticated philosophical depth rooted in African traditions.
The announcement was made during the NLNG Grand Award Night at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, presided over by Advisory Board Chair Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo. She praised the high caliber of entries from 252 submissions, noting that while all shortlisted works demonstrated excellence and improved local publishing standards, Sanya “slightly takes the edge” for its daring narrative and emotional resonance.
A University of Lagos graduate with a B.A. in Creative Arts, Olugbile holds advanced qualifications from institutions including Harvard Business School Online and King’s College London. As a social impact management consultant and chief curator of the Experience Factory, an education, enterprise focused on youth development, she brings real-world insights into her storytelling. In interviews, Olugbile has shared that her “rebellious streak” and fascination with Yoruba mythology inspired the novel, emphasizing storytelling as a tool for cultural reclamation and societal change.
This win positions Olugbile among a rare group of debut authors to claim the prize, highlighting the rising prominence of female voices in Nigerian literature and inspiring aspiring writers nationwide.
