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Nigeria Shines at 8th African Writers Awards

“As the African Writers Awards shines a spotlight on Nigeria’s literary prowess, the winners’ stories weave a tapestry of cultural identity, resilience, and creativity, echoing the continent’s complex narrative. Their words, a testament to Africa’s vibrant voice, will resonate far beyond the awards’ glittering ceremony.”

By admin , in Books Ignite , at November 2, 2025

The winners of the 8th edition of the African Writers Awards (AWA) were unveiled on November 1st, 2025, at the African Writers Conference (AWC) in Maseru, Lesotho. The prestigious awards ceremony recognised outstanding literary talent across Africa, with Nigeria emerging as a standout performer.

The AWA encompasses four esteemed categories: the African Teen Writers Awards for poetry and prose, the African Writers Awards for Poetry and Short Stories, the Wakini Kuria Prize for Children’s Literature, and the inaugural Wanjohi Prize for African Poetry.

The winners are:

  • African Teen Writers Awards (Poetry): Oyeleke Pelumi (Nigeria) took top honours with “My Culture my Pride”, winning $100.
  • African Teen Writers Awards (Prose): Iranejeje Moise (Rwanda) claimed the prize with “My culture my Pride”, also winning $100.
  • African Writers Awards (Poetry): Daniel Naawenkangua Abukuri (Ghana) wowed the judges with “The Old Law of Griots”, taking home $250.
  • African Writers Awards (Short Stories): Haliru Ali Musa (Nigeria) secured the top spot with “Build a Bird That Flies Backwards into Yesterday”, winning $250.
  • Wakini Kuria Prize for Children’s Literature:
    • Natasha Zhou (Zimbabwe) – “Zaza and the WiFi Tree” (1st place, $200)
    • Abdulrazaq Godwin Omeiza (Nigeria) – “Omeiza and the Talking Drum” (2nd place, $150)
    • Kondwani Bwalya (Zambia) – “Thandi and the Pond” (3rd place, $100)
  • Wanjohi Prize for African Poetry:
    • Fortune Simeon (Nigeria) – “Cycle of Trauma” (1st place, $100)
    • Moses Oduor (Kenya) – “Baobab Resolve” (2nd place, $50)

The winners will receive prize money and certificates, and will be featured in an exclusive interview in the January 2025 edition of Writers Space Africa Literary Magazine.

AWA Chief Judge Anthony ‘PenBoss’ Onugba expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the winners, acknowledging the tireless efforts of the international panel of judges. The call for submissions for the 2026 edition of the AWA will be announced in the first quarter of 2025.

The AWA extends its sincere appreciation to the esteemed judges who contributed to the success of the awards, including Nahida Esmail (Tanzania), Patrick Nzabonimpa (Rwanda), Sumaiyah Muhammad (Nigeria), Elizabeth Dwamena-Asare (Ghana), and others.

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