The 2025 NLNG Grand Award Night was a celebration of literary excellence, and the ladies who graced the ceremony in resplendent white ensembles set the tone for the evening. Their elegant attire reflected the gravity and prestige of one of the world’s top ten richest literary prizes, showing how seriously attendees regarded this celebration of Nigerian literature.

The evening’s most heartwarming moment came when two of the Nigeria Prize for Literature finalists, Nikki May and Oyin Olugbile, reached out to each other for an enthusiastic hug. In that spontaneous embrace was everything beautiful about literary community.

The evening proved momentous for Olugbile, whose novel Sanya won the prestigious $100,000 prize. The ceremony, compèred by Mojibade Sosanya and Eyinna Nwigwe, also celebrated winners in other categories and was attended by distinguished guests including His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III.

The evening concluded with an exciting announcement: a new Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts focusing on Documentary Film for Nigerians aged 18 to 35.

Pictures of the women at the NLNG Award Night (Obtained from The Nigeria Prize for Literature Facebook Page):