Abubakar Ibrahim, a journalist, wins Nigeria Prize for Literature

Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, the author of Season of Crimson Blossoms, has won the 2016 edition of the Nigeria Prize for Literature.

Ibrahim, who won $100,000 (about N46 million), beat Chika Unigwe and Elnathan John, to win the biggest literary prize in Africa.

Ayo Banjo, chairman of the advisory board, announced the winning novel at a press conference in Lagos.

Season of Crimson Blossoms, Ibrahim’s second novel, emerged winner from among 172 other entries received for the competition.

The three shortlisted entries were Born on a Tuesday (Elnathan John), Night Dancer (Chika Unigwe) and Season of Crimson Blossoms (Abubakar Adam Ibrahim).

“It was a strong field this year. The shortlisted entries were very strong and the board had no difficulty in accepting the recommendation of the panel of judges, considering the subject matter and competent manner in which Ibrahim demonstrated the execution of his work”, said Banjo.

“It has been a very rigorous process and we are very happy that at the end of the day, both the international consultant and the panel of judges came to an alignment”, said Kudo Eresia-Eke, general manager, external relations at Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG).

“We are very proud of the quality of entries received. Let me reiterate very clearly that we will continue to support integrity and excellence, which are some of the pillars on which we have built NLNG’s success as a company.”

The decision on the winning entry of the Nigeria Prize for Literature was reached by a panel of judges.