Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa

Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa
Awarded forPan-African writing prize for books of any type or genre
Sponsored byThe Lumina Foundation
CountryNigeria
Hosted byThe Lumina Foundation
Reward(s)$20,000
First awarded2006
Last awardedActive
Websitetheluminafoundation.org/wole-soyinka-prize-for-literature-in-africa/

Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa is a pan-African writing prize awarded biennially[1] to the best literary work produced by an African. It was established by the Lumina Foundation[2] in 2005 in honour of Africa's first Nobel Laureate in Literature, Wole Soyinka,[1] who presents the prize, which is chosen by an international jury of literary figures.[3] Administered by the Lumina Foundation,[4] the prize has been described as "the African equivalent of the Nobel Prize".[5]

The winner receives $20,000 at the awards ceremony in Lagos or a selected city in Africa.[6] Entries must be written in English or French.[7] Although originally all genres were considered for every award, since 2014 only one genre is eligible for each edition of the award,[8] with drama being considered for 2014,[9] poetry in 2016, and prose in 2018.[10][11][12]

  1. ^ a b Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa, official website.
  2. ^ The Lumina Foundation
  3. ^ "Jury for Wole Soyinka prize announced", Joy Online, 22 June 2015.
  4. ^ Dapo Olugbagbe, "Jury for Wole Soyinka Prize and New Advisory Board", Bookcraft, 14 October 2015.
  5. ^ "Akin Bello wins $20,000 – 5th Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa", Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature at Glo.
  6. ^ "Jury for Wole Soyinka Prize and New Advisory Board", News and Events, The Lumina Foundation.
  7. ^ Wole Soyinka Prize Rules, The Lumina Foundation.
  8. ^ "Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature Calls For Entry", Book Republic, 31 January 2015.
  9. ^ Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku, "Drama takes centre-stage as Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature announces 5th edition", The Guardian (Nigeria), 9 August 2013.
  10. ^ 2014 Wole Soyinka Entry Prize Rules.
  11. ^ Nurudeen Oyewole, "Nigeria: Soyinka Prize for Literature Opens Entry for 2014", Daily Trust, 11 August 2013.
  12. ^ "2014 Wole Soyinka Prize entry Rules". Wale Owoade blog. 2014. Archived from the original on December 9, 2014. Retrieved June 17, 2016.