By ANA Media Team
The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has unveiled a new logo and opened entries for the Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature 2026, following the dissolution of the committee previously responsible for the prize.
The announcement was contained in a press statement jointly issued by the ANA President, Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi, and the Acting General Secretary, Wole Adedoyin, inviting Nigerian writers at home and abroad to participate in the 2026 edition of the annual prize.
The Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature recognises excellence and outstanding achievement in Nigerian fiction. Established in 2021, the prize has over the years recognised notable works of Nigerian fiction. **Past winners are: 2021 – Obinna Ndenwe, Colours of Hatred; 2022 – Sylva Nze Ifedigbo, Believers and Hustlers; 2023 – Nikę Campbell, Saro; 2024 – Ifeoma Chinwuba, Sons of the East; and 2025 – Ndidi Chiazor Enenmor, See Morocco, See Spain.**
For the 2026–2030 period, ANA expressed appreciation to United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) for its sponsorship commitment of ₦10 million towards prize money and administrative costs.
The 2026 competition is open to published novels written by Nigerian authors and published in 2025 or 2026. Manuscripts are not eligible, there is no entry fee, and an author may submit only one title. Works previously entered for the prize are also ineligible.
According to ANA, authors or publishers are required to submit 10 copies of the published novel, proof of Nigerian citizenship, a covering letter stating the prize being entered for, the author's email address, telephone number and postal address, as well as the publisher's details, publication year and ISBN.
“The Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature remains an important platform for recognising excellence in Nigerian fiction and encouraging writers to contribute meaningfully to the nation's literary heritage,” ANA stated.
Entries will be judged on literary quality, originality, creativity, language, narrative craft, characterisation and thematic depth. Submissions must be original and comply with Nigerian copyright laws, with authors and publishers responsible for any copyright infringement.
The prize is not open to members of ANA's Board of Trustees (BOT), National Executive Council (NEC), the judging panel, United Nigeria Airlines staff, or their immediate family members. Judges are required to disclose and recuse themselves from entries involving a conflict of interest, including works they have edited, published or for which they have written supporting material.
The winner will receive ₦1,000,000 (One Million Naira) and a plaque/certificate. The prize may be deferred where there is no deserving entry or no entry at all. Where there is only one entry, it may be awarded if the judges consider it deserving, while the decision of the judges remains final. ANA also reserves the right to verify submitted information and disqualify entries that fail to meet the stated requirements. Submitted copies will not be returned.
The submission deadline is 15 September 2026, with the shortlist scheduled for 15 October 2026. The winner will be announced at the Awards Dinner during the ANA International Annual Convention, scheduled for 29 October–1 November 2026.
Entries should be addressed to: The General Secretary, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), KM 2, Mamman Vatsa Writers' Village, Mpape, Abuja, Nigeria. ANA stated that it would not be responsible for delays, loss or charges arising from postal or courier services.
