Ogaga Ifowodo has been awarded the prestigious Nigeria Prize for Literature for 2026, receiving a cash prize of $100,000 for his poetry collection titled Why Does God Need a Gun? The announcement was made during the NLNG Grand Award Night held in Lagos State on Friday, with the details released in a statement by Sophia Horsfall, the General Manager for External Relations and Sustainable Development.

Ifowodo's winning collection was selected from a pool of 223 entries, showcasing the depth and talent present in contemporary Nigerian literature. The award is recognized as one of Africa's most esteemed literary honors, aimed at celebrating exceptional literary contributions by Nigerian authors.

In addition to Ifowodo's achievement, the inaugural Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts was jointly awarded to Peter Oghenetega Oke and Feranmi Abiola, who both received $20,000 for their works, Beyond Tarkwa Bay and Mara Mania, respectively. This new prize aims to recognize originality and excellence in artistic expression across various mediums.

Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Chairman of the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature, praised Ifowodo's work as a poignant exploration of religious and political violence in Nigeria, conveyed through the perspective of an imagined victim. She emphasized the technical skill and mature language used in the shortlisted collections, which address themes that resonate beyond Nigeria's borders, including identity, nationhood, and the impact of extremism.

The creative arts prize received 98 submissions, with the winning documentaries highlighted for their ability to document communities and preserve cultural memory. Joel Kachi Benson, Technical Adviser to the Advisory Board for the Creative Arts prize, commended the shortlisted entries for their power to challenge societal perceptions and amplify unheard voices.

The awards ceremony also recognized Mary-Brenda Akoda, who was awarded The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation in September for her groundbreaking work on GenScan AI, an innovation aimed at enhancing magnetic resonance imaging. Akoda's win marks her as the first Generation Z recipient of the prize and the first woman to achieve this honor as an individual awardee.

Adeleye Falade, Managing Director and CEO of NLNG, highlighted the importance of the Nigeria Prizes in promoting exceptional achievements in literature, science, and the creative arts, which contribute to societal development. He noted that the prizes serve as a platform for Nigerian writers and scientists to engage with global audiences and address pressing challenges through their work.

During the event, Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka emphasized the critical role of imagination in bridging literature, the arts, and sciences, calling for collaboration between these fields to leverage their collective strengths for the benefit of humanity. The Nigeria Prizes are part of NLNG's broader commitment to fostering innovation and cultural expression that can enhance Nigeria's development and international standing.