Familoni Oluranti Olubunmi won the NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature 2024 in a ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria on Friday, October 11, 2024.
Since 2004, the Nigeria Prize for Literature worth US$100,000 has celebrated Nigerian authors in the four genres of fiction, poetry, drama, and children’s literature. Sponsored annually by oil firm NLNG, some of the winners have been Obari Gomba, Romeo Oriogun, Cheluchi Onyemelukwe-Onuobia, Jude Idada, Soji Cole, Ikeogu Oke, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Sam Ukala, Tade Ipadeola, and Chika Unigwe.
For 2024, the prize focus is children’s literature and the jury comprises Prof Saleh Adu (Chairman), Prof Vicky Sylvester, Dr Igudia Osarobu, and Kenyan judge Chris Okemwa. There were 163 entries received and NLNG Nigeria Literature Prize advisory chair Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo and board member Ahmed Yerima announced the longlist on July 13 before the shortlist was made public on September 9.
The award’s winner has just been revealed tonight as The Road Does Not End by Familoni Oluranti Olubunmi. The Road Does Not End by Familoni Oluranti Olubunmi addresses the critical issue of child labour in society. The book explores resilience and human connection themes, emphasising the importance of relationships and the need for continuous self-improvement.
Watch the ceremony which was live-streamed on YouTube below;
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