Ifowodo Wins $100,000 Nigeria Prize for Poetry on Religious, Political Violence

Poet Ogaga Ifowodo has been awarded The Nigeria Prize for Literature 2026 with a $100,000 cash prize for his poetry collection, Why Does God Need a Gun? The collection examines religious and political violence in Nigeria. The winning entry was chosen from 223 entries submitted for the award. The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts also announced joint winners, Beyond Tarkwa Bay by Peter Oghenetega Oke and Mara Mania by Feranmi Abiola, who jointly won the $20,000 cash award.

The accolades were presented at NLNG's Grand Award Night in Lagos on October 9, 2026. The literature prize's chairman, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, praised the sensitive portrayal of religious and political violence through the voice of an imagined victim in Ifowodo's collection. She noted that the works addressed themes such as identity, nationhood, extremism, displacement, and the impact of conflict on individuals and communities.

Joel Kachi Benson, Technical Adviser to the Creative Arts Prize Advisory Board, commended the documentaries for challenging perceptions, fostering human connections, and bringing attention to overlooked communities and experiences. The prizes have become significant national institutions, showcasing the achievements of Nigeria's finest literary voices and creative professionals.